Association Between the Types of Alcoholic Beverages and Pancreatitis: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Tertiary Care Centre in Central India

Introduction Alcohol, a psychoactive substance, affects the pancreas via multiple pathways and causes acute pancreatitis. Various types of alcoholic beverages are available in the market for consumption. This study aims to evaluate the association of the types of alcoholic beverages, the frequency of drinking, years of intake with presentation, and the type of alcohol-induced acute pancreatitis. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study on 100 patients admitted to the Department of General Surgery, Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Nagpur, a tertiary care centre in Central India, as cases of alcohol-induced acute pancreatitis over a period of six months from January 2024 to June 2024. Patients below 12 years of age, those diagnosed with other causes of acute pancreatitis, or those not willing to participate were excluded from the study. Results The present study indicates a higher prevalence of alcohol-induced acute pancreatitis among males, those in elementary occupations, and drinkers of Desi Daru/Indian-made Indian liquor (IMIL). Most patients started drinking between 16 and 30 years of age. The most common drinking pattern is daily, followed by an alternate-day drinking pattern. Most patients consume 5-10 drinks per occasion. Most patients developed symptoms after 5-10 years of alcohol consumption. Most patients presented to the hospital on the first episode of symptoms. Most patients had two to five episodes of symptoms. Most patients complain of epigastric pain, nausea/vomiting, and abdominal distension on first and repeat presentations. Desi Daru/IMIL drinkers more commonly develop acute necrotising pancreatitis on first and repeat presentations, whereas beer, wine, distilled, or mixed alcohol drinkers more commonly develop acute interstitial pancreatitis on first and repeat presentations. Drinking patterns are found to be statistically significantly related to occupation groups and average standard drinks consumed per occasion. The types of alcoholic beverages are statistically significantly related to occupation groups, drinking patterns, and average intake years but not to the average standard drinks consumed per occasion or the number of symptomatic episodes or admissions. During the first presentation, the type of pancreatitis is statistically significantly related to the type of alcoholic beverages and drinking patterns but not to the average intake years or average drinks consumed per occasion. On repeat presentation, the type of pancreatitis is not statistically significantly related to the type of alcoholic beverages, drinking patterns, average intake years, or average standard drinks consumed per occasion. Conclusion This study concludes that the types of alcoholic beverages consumed are statistically significantly related to occupation groups, drinking patterns, and average intake years. Drinking patterns are also statistically significantly associated with occupation groups and the average standard drinks consumed per occasion. During the first presentation, the type of pancreatitis is statistically significantly related to the type of alcoholic beverages and drinking pattern. Daily drinking of Desi Daru/IMIL has a higher chance of developing acute necrotising pancreatitis, whereas daily drinking of distilled alcohol has a higher chance of developing acute interstitial pancreatitis on initial presentation.