URINARY AMYLASE AS A DIAGNOSTIC MARKER FOR ACUTE PANCREATITS – A PROSPECTIVE CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Acute pancreatitis is commonly characterized by abdominal pain and elevated pancreatic enzyme levels. Diagnosis relies on clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, and imaging. Serum amylase is traditionally used but has a short half-life (10–12 hours), normalizing within 3–5 days, which may lead to false negatives in mild or late-presenting cases. In contrast, urinary amylase remains elevated for a longerduration, potentially offering improved diagnostic sensitivity. This study aims to compare the diagnostic utility of urinary amylase and serum amylase in acute pancreatitis.