[Pancreatitis in systemic lupus erythematosus. Review of the literature apropos of 5 cases].

We report five cases of pancreatitis in systemic lupus erythematosus. Three patients died. The cause of death was directly related to pancreatitis in two cases. Several causes of pancreatitis may be suspected: vasculitis, thrombosis when associated to antiphospholipid syndrome, biliary calculi, infection, metabolic abnormalities or adverse effects of therapy. About seventy cases of pancreatitis have been reported in systemic lupus erythematosus in the literature Pancreatitis was the inaugural sign of lupus in six cases. In 12 cases, besides lupus, no other cause of pancreatitis was found. However, pancreatic vasculitis or thrombosis was rarely demonstrated even in post-mortem examinations. The role of corticosteroids in pancreatitis in lupus is controversial since the evolution of pancreatitis in lupus is generally good with corticosteroids. We think that diagnosis of pancreatitis in lupus should not implicate discontinuation or decrease of corticosteroids dosage, unless their responsibility is absolutely demonstrated.