Pancreatitis associated with primary hyperparathyroidism

Two series of patients treated for primary hyperparathyroidism are reviewed for the incidence of associated pancreatitis. In an earlier series of 150 hyperparathyroid patients, six had documented pancreatitis as one of the primary clinical manifestations. Review of a more recent series failed to uncover a single case of pancreatitis in 26 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. The incidence of pancreatitis associated with hyperparathyroidism appears to be steadily decreasing, possibly reflecting the earlier diagnosis of parathyroid disease, which is due to widespread screening testing methods currently available.