Clinical characteristics, diagnosis and prognosis of statin-induced acute pancreatitis

To explore the clinical characteristics of statin-induced acute pancreatitis and provide a reference for safe clinical medication.

Case reports/series of statin-induced acute pancreatitis were collected for retrospective analysis by searching Chinese and English databases up to May 31, 2025.

A total of 34 patients were reported, with a median age of 59 years (range 36, 86). These statins involved simvastatin (35.3%), lovastatin (14.7%), pravastatin (17.6%), atorvastatin (14.7%), rosuvastatin (11.8%), and fluvastatin (5.8%). The onset time of acute pancreatitis ranged from 8 h to 10 years after administration, with a median time of 3.5 months. Acute pancreatitis can occur with statins ranging from low doses to high doses. Abdominal pain (67.6%), vomiting (38.2%) and nausea (29.4%) were the main clinical symptoms. Laboratory tests showed elevated levels of amylase and lipase, with median values of 742U/L (range 67, 3001) and 1730.5U/L (range 82, 5579), respectively. Triglyceride levels were normal, with a median value of 146.5 mg/dL (range 49, 317). White blood cells were elevated, with a median of 13.7 × 10³/mm³ (range 7.8, 26.3). Computed tomography and ultrasound examinations can show pancreatic edema. After discontinuing statins and receiving conservative management, 94.1% of the patients recovered and 5.8% of the patients died.

Statin-induced pancreatitis has a class effect that may be independent of duration or dosage. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of statin-induced acute pancreatitis in order to facilitate early diagnosis and management.