Metformin induced acute pancreatitis

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Gastroenterology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Acute pancreatitis, characterized by abdominal pain, can present with diverse symptoms, including skin manifestations like rash and pancreatic panniculitis.
• Metformin, a widely used biguanide oral hypoglycemic agent, has been implicated in a limited number of acute pancreatitis cases.
• Pancreatic panniculitis is a rare but recognized cutaneous manifestation of pancreatic disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of acute pancreatitis induced by metformin in a young, healthy male.
• To increase awareness of metformin as a potential trigger for acute pancreatitis.
• To discuss the clinical presentation and management of drug-induced pancreatitis.

Main Methods:

• Case report detailing a young male patient presenting with symptoms suggestive of acute pancreatitis.
• Review of patient's medical history, medication use (specifically metformin), and laboratory findings.
• Diagnostic workup to confirm acute pancreatitis and rule out other causes, including imaging and biochemical tests.

Main Results:

• The patient, a young male with normal renal function, developed acute pancreatitis.
• Metformin was identified as the likely causative agent for the acute pancreatitis.
• Exclusion of other common causes of pancreatitis was established through comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.

Conclusions:

• Metformin can induce acute pancreatitis, even in young individuals with normal renal function.
• Healthcare providers should consider metformin-induced pancreatitis in the differential diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, particularly in patients using this medication.
• Further investigation into the mechanisms of metformin-induced pancreatitis may be warranted.