Elevated serum amylase in patients with chronic pancreatitis: acute attack or macroamylasemia? 2014

Natalya Gubergrits, and Oksana Golubova, and Galina Lukashevich, and Pavlo Fomenko
Department of Internal Medicine, Donetsk National Medical University, Pr. Grinkevicha, 8-3, 83001 Donetsk, Ukraine. Electronic address: nbg@pisem.net.

OBJECTIVE Asymptomatic patients with chronic pancreatitis not infrequently have elevated concentrations of amylase, even though detailed examination reveals no indication of an acute exacerbation. METHODS One hundred and eighty-six consecutive patients with chronic pancreatitis were examined clinically and, if indicated, by ultrasonography and computed tomography. In addition, all patients underwent determination of serum amylase and serum lipase as well as amylase/creatinine clearance, followed as required by a polyethylene glycol test and/or chromatography to demonstrate macroamylase. RESULTS Twenty (11%) of the 186 patients had macroamylasemia, and 15 of these 20 had hyperamylasemia. In the remaining five cases the serum amylase levels were within the normal range. CONCLUSIONS Patients with asymptomatic chronic pancreatitis and hyperamylasemia should first be investigated for macroamylasemia, before initiating any costly or complex procedures in the attempt to demonstrate a clinically silent or only mildly symptomatic attack of their disease.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008049 Lipase An enzyme of the hydrolase class that catalyzes the reaction of triacylglycerol and water to yield diacylglycerol and a fatty acid anion. It is produced by glands on the tongue and by the pancreas and initiates the digestion of dietary fats. (From Dorland, 27th ed) EC 3.1.1.3. Triacylglycerol Lipase,Tributyrinase,Triglyceride Lipase,Acid Lipase,Acid Lipase A,Acid Lipase B,Acid Lipase I,Acid Lipase II,Exolipase,Monoester Lipase,Triacylglycerol Hydrolase,Triglyceridase,Triolean Hydrolase,Hydrolase, Triacylglycerol,Hydrolase, Triolean,Lipase A, Acid,Lipase B, Acid,Lipase I, Acid,Lipase II, Acid,Lipase, Acid,Lipase, Monoester,Lipase, Triglyceride
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D008970 Molecular Weight The sum of the weight of all the atoms in a molecule. Molecular Weights,Weight, Molecular,Weights, Molecular
D010195 Pancreatitis INFLAMMATION of the PANCREAS. Pancreatitis is classified as acute unless there are computed tomographic or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographic findings of CHRONIC PANCREATITIS (International Symposium on Acute Pancreatitis, Atlanta, 1992). The two most common forms of acute pancreatitis are ALCOHOLIC PANCREATITIS and gallstone pancreatitis. Acute Edematous Pancreatitis,Acute Pancreatitis,Pancreatic Parenchyma with Edema,Pancreatic Parenchymal Edema,Pancreatitis, Acute,Pancreatitis, Acute Edematous,Peripancreatic Fat Necrosis,Acute Edematous Pancreatitides,Acute Pancreatitides,Edema, Pancreatic Parenchymal,Edematous Pancreatitides, Acute,Edematous Pancreatitis, Acute,Fat Necrosis, Peripancreatic,Necrosis, Peripancreatic Fat,Pancreatic Parenchymal Edemas,Pancreatitides, Acute,Pancreatitides, Acute Edematous,Parenchymal Edema, Pancreatic,Peripancreatic Fat Necroses
D011092 Polyethylene Glycols Polymers of ETHYLENE OXIDE and water, and their ethers. They vary in consistency from liquid to solid depending on the molecular weight indicated by a number following the name. They are used as SURFACTANTS, dispersing agents, solvents, ointment and suppository bases, vehicles, and tablet excipients. Some specific groups are NONOXYNOLS, OCTOXYNOLS, and POLOXAMERS. Macrogols,Polyoxyethylenes,Carbowax,Macrogol,Polyethylene Glycol,Polyethylene Oxide,Polyethyleneoxide,Polyglycol,Glycol, Polyethylene,Glycols, Polyethylene,Oxide, Polyethylene,Oxides, Polyethylene,Polyethylene Oxides,Polyethyleneoxides,Polyglycols,Polyoxyethylene
D011446 Prospective Studies Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group. Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D002908 Chronic Disease Diseases which have one or more of the following characteristics: they are permanent, leave residual disability, are caused by nonreversible pathological alteration, require special training of the patient for rehabilitation, or may be expected to require a long period of supervision, observation, or care (Dictionary of Health Services Management, 2d ed). For epidemiological studies chronic disease often includes HEART DISEASES; STROKE; CANCER; and diabetes (DIABETES MELLITUS, TYPE 2). Chronic Condition,Chronic Illness,Chronically Ill,Chronic Conditions,Chronic Diseases,Chronic Illnesses,Condition, Chronic,Disease, Chronic,Illness, Chronic
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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