Association of acute pancreatitis in a patient with Type 1 diabetes

Abstract

Background: Both acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis are associated with the type 2 diabetes. Even some drugs used in management of diabetes can cause pancreatitis. However, the association of acute pancreatitis with type 1 diabetes mellitus is uncommon. Here, we present a case of a type 1 diabetic patient who developed acute pancreatitis. Case Presentation: An 18-year-old girl with pre-existing type 1 diabetes presented with complaints of abdominal pain radiating to back associated with nausea and vomiting for two days. She had the same complaints 3 months earlier, for which she was treated at a local hospital and it was diagnosed as acute pancreatitis. She did not have any evidence of gallstones, alcohol abuse, biliary sludge or hyperlipidaemia. Conclusion: This case makes the point that in a type 1 diabetic patient presenting with abdominal discomfort, we should not always relate it to diabetic ketoacidosis. Evaluation of the pancreatic enzymes should be done to rule out any associated evidence of acute pancreatitis, though uncommon.

Keywords

• Acute pancreatitis
• chronic pancreatitis
• type 1 diabetes