PANCREATITIS IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATO SUS - REPORT OF 5 CASES

We report five cases of pancreatitis in systemic lupus erythematosus. Three patients died The cause of death was directly related to pancrea titis in two cases. Several causes of pancreatitis may be suspected: v asculitis, thrombosis when associated to antiphospholipid syndrome, bi liary calculi, infection, metabolic abnormalities or adverse effects o f therapy. About seventy cases of pancreatitis have been reported is s ystemic lupus erythematosus in the literature Pancreatitis was the ina ugural sign of lupus in six cases. In 12 cases, besides lupus, no othe r cause of pancreatitis was found However, pancreatic vasculitis or th rombosis was rarely demonstrated even in post-mortem examinations. The role of corticosteroids in pancreatitis in lupus is controversial sin ce the evolution of pancreatitis in lupus is generally good with corti costeroids. We think that diagnosis of pancreatitis in lupus should no t implicate discontinuation or decrease of corticosteroids dosage, unl ess their responsability is absolutely demonstrated.