Secondary Causes of Hypertriglyceridemia are Prevalent Among Patients Presenting With Hypertriglyceridemia Induced Acute Pancreatitis

Background: Hypertriglyceridemia induced acute pancreatitis (HIAP) is the third common cause of acute pancreatitis. HIAP can result in recurrent attacks of severe AP with significant morbidity and mortality. Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) could be primary or secondary. Although genetic causes of HTG are well studied, the prevalence of secondary causes of HTG in patients presenting with HIAP is not well characterized. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of risk factors for secondary hypertriglyceridemia among patients presenting with HIAP in a tertiary referral center in a large metropolitan area.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of all patients admitted with AP from August 2012-2017. A subgroup of patients with triglycerides >880 mg/dl were included for analysis. Secondary causes of HTG were identified. Secondary analysis evaluating the severity of pancreatitis was performed.

Results: There were 3,746 patients admitted for AP of which 57 patients had AP and HTG. Of these 57 patients, 70.2% had history of diabetes mellitus, 26.3% had history of heavy alcohol use, 22.8% had chronic kidney disease, 47.3% with obesity, and 21.1% with metabolic syndrome. Two patients were classified as unexplained HTG. Secondary analysis showed a total of 45.6% of patients requiring ICU admission. 26.3% of patients with severe inflammatory pancreatitis and 17.5% of patients with severe necrotizing pancreatitis.

Conclusions: In our cohort of HIAP, 55 out of 57 patients had secondary causes for HTG. Identifying secondary causes of HTG during acute hospitalization is important to tailor outpatient treatment in order to prevent future admissions with HIAP.