Acute pancreatitis can result in death or serious consequences including chronic pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, and organ failure. Causes of acute pancreatitis include gallstones, alcohol, and severe hypertriglyceridemia (triglyceride levels ≥5.6 mmol/L [500 mg/dL]), which affects approximately 1% of the population. Hypertriglyceridemia-associated acute pancreatitis warrants special attention because of its higher mortality rate, increased incidence of pancreatic necrosis, greater need for intensive care, and longer duration of hospitalization relative to other causes; it is also likely to recur but is potentially preventable.
