Key result
Hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis features serum lipase below three times the upper reference limit in ~42% of cases.
Why the study?
The incidence of hypertriglyceridaemic pancreatitis is increasing, and hypertriglyceridaemia may cause false lowering of serum amylase and lipase in vitro.
Are serum lipase levels falsely lowered or normal in patients with acute pancreatitis associated with severe hypertriglyceridaemia?
Observational (n=26)
Are serum lipase levels falsely lowered or normal in patients with acute pancreatitis associated with severe hypertriglyceridaemia?
Serum lipase levels can be normal or non-significantly elevated in hypertriglyceridaemic pancreatitis, highlighting the need for clinical awareness to avoid missed diagnoses.
Normal lipase may miss hypertriglyceridaemic pancreatitis; leaves open need for revised diagnostic criteria in this setting.
The incidence of hypertriglyceridaemic pancreatitis is increasing. Hypertriglyceridaemia may be associated with false lowering of serum amylase and lipase in vitro. A retrospective study of serum lipase levels in 26 individuals who had acute pancreatitis diagnosed based on clinical criteria together with changes on computer tomography in the setting of severe hypertriglyceridaemia over a 5-year period from January 2017 to December 2021 was performed. Serum lipase levels were in the normal range in two patients (7.7%) and less than three times the upper end of the reference interval in 11 individuals (42%). Awareness of the potential for normal and nonsignificantly elevated serum lipase levels in the setting of hypertriglyceridaemic pancreatitis is important to avoid a missed diagnosis, to enable appropriate short- and long-term management and to prevent recurrent episodes.
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Adam Morton (2024) conducted an observational in Acute pancreatitis associated with severe hypertriglyceridaemia (n=26). Severe hypertriglyceridaemia was evaluated on Serum lipase levels. In patients with hypertriglyceridaemic pancreatitis, serum lipase levels were normal in 7.7% and less than three times the upper reference limit in 42%.
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