Acute pancreatitis in systemic lupus erythematosus

Lethal acute pancreatitis developed in a 16-year-old Caucasian woman suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus. Until the time of onset of pancreatitis, the patient's medications included prednisone, furosemide, ethacrynic acid and chlorthalidone, all of which have been related to pancreatitis. At autopsy, no specific signs of autoimmune activity were found in the diseased pancreatic tissue. A review of the literature shows that information on the association of pancreatitis and SLE is scarce. This case illustrates the dilemma of pathogenesis and therapy of acute pancreatitis in SLE and the need for further investigation.