Related Experiment Videos
Chronic calcifying pancreatitis and systemic lupus erythematous
Hassane Izzedine1, Caroline Caramella, Vlad Ratziu
1Department of Nephrology, Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, Paris, France. hassan.izzedine@psl.ap-hop-paris.fr
Pancreas
|September 16, 2005
Summary
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can cause gastrointestinal issues. This case highlights SLE as a rare cause of acute pancreatitis in adults, even with other medical history.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are frequent in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), affecting 35-40% of patients.
- Pancreatic disease is an infrequent manifestation of SLE, with only three adult cases of chronic pancreatitis linked to SLE reported previously.
Observation:
- A 59-year-old woman with a history of mechanical aortic valve replacement and SLE presented with acute pancreatitis.
- No other identifiable cause for the acute pancreatitis was found.
Findings:
- This case adds to the limited literature on SLE-associated pancreatitis.
- It underscores the importance of considering SLE in the differential diagnosis of pancreatitis, especially in patients with a known SLE diagnosis.
Implications:
- Recognizing SLE as a potential cause of pancreatitis is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
- Further research may elucidate the mechanisms linking SLE to pancreatic inflammation.