# Value of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 for predicting acute pancreatitis severity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

## TL;DR

This study finds that soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 levels in blood can help predict the severity of acute pancreatitis, though it's best used as a screening tool.

## Contribution

The study provides a meta-analysis showing sFLT-1 as a reliable biomarker for acute pancreatitis severity prediction.

## Key findings

- Severe acute pancreatitis patients had significantly higher sFLT-1 levels than mild cases.
- sFLT-1 showed 79% sensitivity and 74% specificity in predicting severe pancreatitis.
- A cutoff of >150 pg/mL was identified but showed heterogeneity across studies.

## Abstract

The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 and the severity of acute pancreatitis and its diagnostic utility.

This study was carried out by searching Chinese and English literature from the establishment of the database to July 9, 2023, systematically, and assessing the quality and heterogeneity of the articles included.

Thirteen studies with a total of 986 patients were included. Patients with severe acute pancreatitis showed higher levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 compared with mild acute pancreatitis [weighted mean difference=76.64 pg/mL, 95% confidence interval (95%CI 50.39–102.89, p<0.001)]. Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 predicted pooled sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve were 79%, 74%, and 0.85 for severe acute pancreatitis, with some heterogeneity (I2>50% or p<0.05). In the subgroup analysis, cutoff >150 pg/mL was found to be a heterogeneous factor.

Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 is a reliable tool for identifying acute pancreatitis severity, but only as a screening tool.