Impact of Elevated Serum Triglycerides on Children with Acute Recurrent or Chronic Pancreatitis from INSPPIRE-2.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine if mild-moderate hypertriglyceridemia is associated with increased development of chronic pancreatitis or pancreatitis-associated complications in children with acute recurrent or chronic pancreatitis. STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal data from the INSPPIRE-2 (INternational Study group of Pediatric Pancreatitis In search for a cuRE-2) cohort of children with acute recurrent or chronic pancreatitis (n=559) were analyzed. Subjects were divided into normal triglycerides (<150 mg/dL; 1.7 mmol/L), any hypertriglyceridemia (≥150 mg/dL; ≥1.7 mmol/L), mild-moderate hypertriglyceridemia (150-499 mg/dL; 1.7-5.6 mmol/L), moderate hypertriglyceridemia (500-999 mg/dL; 5.6-11.3 mmol/L), and severe hypertriglyceridemia groups (≥1,000 mg/dL; ≥11.3 mmol/L), based on highest serum triglyceride value. Laboratory, imaging, pancreatitis and hospital events, complications, and quality of life data were analyzed. RESULTS: In children with acute recurrent or chronic pancreatitis and hypertriglyceridemia, there was no increase in the number of pancreatitis attacks per person-years, nor an increase in chronic pancreatitis prevalence. However, hypertriglyceridemia severity was associated with increased pancreatic inflammation, pancreatic cysts, pain, hospital days, number of hospitalizations, intensive care, and missed school days. CONCLUSIONS: Mild-moderate hypertriglyceridemia in children with acute recurrent or chronic pancreatitis was not associated with increased pancreatitis frequency, nor increased development of chronic pancreatitis, but was associated with increased pancreatitis complications and disease burden. As a treatable condition, treatment of mild-moderate hypertriglyceridemia may be considered to reduce pancreatitis-associated complications and medical burden in children with acute recurrent or chronic pancreatitis.