Acute pancreatitis in chronic kidney disease--a common but often misunderstood combination.

The occurrence of pancreatitis has been reported among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, especially those who are on peritoneal dialysis. It contributes to an increased morbidity and mortality in patients who are already suffering from renal failure. The diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is also modified by the loss of renal function with altered levels of pancreatic enzyme estimation and the contribution of pancreatic damage due to uremia and dialysis. We describe two cases of CKD who presented with acute pancreatitis and also briefly review the literature.