SAT-684 A Deadly Triad: Coexistence of Acute Pancreatitis, Hypertryglyceridemia and Diabetic Ketoacidosis

The coexistence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), hypertriglyceridemia and acute pancreatitis (AP) represent a complex phenomenon described as the enigmatic triad. The exact initial culprit and pathophysiologic mechanism of this chain of events are still unclear posing a challenge in management. DKA may lead to glucose and lipid metabolism dysregulation which can result in hypertriglyceridemia leading to AP. On the other hand, hypertriglyceridemia may induce AP which may decompensate diabetes and lead to DKA. In both scenarios, this triad results in an uncommon clinical presentation with up to 80% mortality rate. Most frequently reported in children, this entity accounts for only a handful of cases reported in the literature. Case of an obese, non alcoholic 57 year old male without history of systemic illness who visits the emergency room due to mid-upper abdominal pain for the past day. Pain radiates to the back, worsens upon laying flat, and is associated with bloating and nausea. He denies previous similar episodes, vomiting, fever or bowel habit changes. Laboratory workup revealed lipidemic sample with hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, positive serum ketones, and normal amylase and lipase. Lipid panel revealed hypertriglyceridemia at 6,260 mg/dL (35-150). Glycated hemoglobin at 14.7%. Abdominal computed tomography showed peripancreatic inflammation consistent with pancreatitis. Given clinical and imaging criteria the diagnosis of severe hypertriglyceridemia induced AP and DKA were made. The patient was admitted to ICU and treated with intravenous insulin drip and supportive management. Resolution of DKA and successful decrease in triglycerides to less than 500 mg/dL was achieved by the third day of admission. After six days, the patient was discharged home with insulin and lipid lowering regimens. This case demonstrates an extremely rare initial presentation of diabetes mellitus. This triad is the result of a toxic chain of events that may be lethal if not promptly identified. This case makes an exemplary lesson as to always take under consideration atypical etiologies to potentially life threatening conditions and also remarks that while uncommon, pancreatitis with normal pancreatic enzymes is a possible phenomenon. Even though false negative amylase has been associated with hypertriglyceridemia induced AP, only a few cases with negative lipase have been described. While no definite explanation has been yet discovered, negative lipase may be explained by early acinar cell apoptosis in AP. More research efforts are necessary in order to improve early diagnosis, treatment, and mortality rate for this rare but potentially deadly triad and to better understand the mechanisms underlying AP and the role that digestive enzymes play.