title: [Lupus pancreatitis: A case series of six patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The occurrence of acute pancreatitis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is known but rare, and is exceptionally the presenting manifestation. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial, and it is difficult to separate what belongs to vasculitis, thrombotic phenomena in the context of an associated antiphospholipid syndrome, or iatrogenic complications. We report on six cases of lupus pancreatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective monocenter study of 110 patients with SLE. The diagnosis of lupus pancreatitis was established after exclusion of other causes of pancreatitis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five women and one man (5.4%) with a mean age of 36.3 years presented with lupus pancreatitis. In four patients the pancreatitis was concurrent with the diagnosis of SLE and it occurred later during an exacerbation of the disease in the two remaining patients. In all patients, pancreatic manifestations were associated with other organ involvement. Clinical manifestations were: abdominal pain (n=6), vomiting (n=3), and fever (n=3). Elevated pancreatic enzyme was noted in all cases. All patients were treated by high doses of glucocorticoids. The outcome was favorable in five patients, and one patient died.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pancreatitis may be the presenting manifestation of SLE. Its pathogenesis is often multifactorial. The outcome is usually favorable with corticosteroids.
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine interne, hôpital Habib Thameur, faculté de médecine, Tunis, Tunisie. besma_2@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ben Dhaou
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Aydi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boussema
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ben Dahmen
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Baili
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ketari
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cherif
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rokbani
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000097:blood; D008049:Lipase / Q000097:blood; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017411:Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult; D055517:snRNP Core Proteins / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D017411:Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear; D055517:snRNP Core Proteins; D008049:Lipase; D000681:Amylases