oa Hyperlipidemic pancreatitis: the qatar experience

Hyperlipidemic pancreatitis represents one of the most acute and dramatic consequences of the chylomicronemia syndrome which, if misdiagnosed, can lead to pancreatic destruction and death.

A retrospective analysis of 16 cases admitted to Hamad General Hospital since 1990 investigated the relationship between hyperlipidemia and pancreatitis.

All the patients had discrete, recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis with typical pain, hyperamylasemia and hypertriglyceridemia. Acute pancreatitis usually occurred when the serum triglyceride levels were above 10 mmol/L. Chylomicronemia, with the serum being visibly creamy, was a constant feature of the lipoprotein pattern of the patients during these acute episodes.

It seems that chylomicronemia is the most consistent feature of hyperlipidemic pancreatitis. Most patients respond well to a low fat diet but lipid lowering agents are generally required to prevent recurrence.