The Harmless Acute Pancreatitis Score (HAPS) is a clinical calculator used in the management of patients with acute pancreatitis. This scoring system is specifically designed to predict the likelihood of a benign course of acute pancreatitis within the first 24 hours of admission. The HAPS is calculated based on five parameters: hematocrit, age, pleural effusion, sex, and serum calcium levels.
The clinical utility of the HAPS is to assist clinicians in identifying patients who are likely to have a mild course of acute pancreatitis, thereby aiding in decision-making regarding hospital admission, level of care, and resource allocation.
The HAPS should not be used in patients with chronic pancreatitis or those with a known history of severe acute pancreatitis, as it is not designed to predict severity in these populations. Additionally, it may not be accurate in patients with conditions that can affect the parameters used in the score, such as chronic kidney disease (which can affect serum calcium levels) or lung disease (which can cause pleural effusion).
Reference
Paul Georg Lankisch, Bettina Weber-Dany, Kathrin Hebel et al. The harmless acute pancreatitis score: a clinical algorithm for rapid initial stratification of nonsevere disease. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2009 Jun;7(6):702-5; quiz 607.
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