DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i09.039

Pages: 3345-3348

Hypertriglyceridemia is a rare, but well known cause of acute pancreatitis. Presentation is often similar to other forms of acute pancreatitis, with lipemic serum usually the only distinguishing initial sign. Typically hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis occurs in a patient with a pre-existing lipid abnormality, along with the presence of a secondary precipitating factor e.g. poorly controlled diabetes, alcohol or medication. Secondary causes of hypertriglyceridemia have to be ruled out. Although the serum triglyceride threshold for considering hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis is generally considered to be in the range of 1000mg/dl, the severity, clinical course and complication rate do not correlate with lipid levels. The mainstay of therapy is dietary restriction of fatty meal and fibric acid derivatives.