23rd April 2024

A 45-year-old female with a history of Ulcerative Colitis is admitted with abdominal pain

A 45-year-old female with a history of Ulcerative Colitis is admitted with abdominal pain radiating through to her back. On examination, she is slender with a soft abdomen, maximally tender in the epigastrium. Her amylase is >3x the upper limit of normal. You suspect acute pancreatitis. Her medications include paracetamol, mesalazine and amlodipine.  She was admitted to hospital three months ago and was discharged home with a short course of oral prednisolone for her Ulcerative Colitis, which she has since completed. During this admission, she had an ultrasound, which was negative for gallstones. She confesses to drinking one glass of wine per week and does not smoke.

Which one of the following is the most likely cause of this lady’s pancreatitis?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.