A Drug-Induced Acute Pancreatitis Retrospective Study

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Clinical Pharmacology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Drug-induced acute pancreatitis (DIAP) is understudied, complicating diagnosis and causative agent identification.
• Lack of conclusive data hinders clinical management of DIAP.
• This study focuses on DIAP in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean (SLSJ) population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document and characterize causes of DIAP in the SLSJ population.
• To identify specific drugs implicated in DIAP cases.
• To contribute evidence on drug-associated pancreatitis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, descriptive, population-based study (2006-2014).
• Utilized Quebec Ministry of Health hospitalizations registry (MED-ECHO).
• Medical chart review for characterization and drug identification.

Main Results:

• 75 cases and 90 hospitalizations for DIAP identified.
• 50 causative drugs across 17 classes identified.
• Azathioprine, atorvastatin, hydrochlorothiazide, rosuvastatin, and codeine were most common; 5-fluorouracil and triamcinolone implicated.

Conclusions:

• Adds new evidence on pancreatitis-associated drugs.
• First study to report definite 5-fluorouracil- and triamcinolone-induced AP.
• Highlights the need for updated literature reviews to aid clinicians in DIAP diagnosis.