Acute Pancreatitis

Matteo and Sarles report on two cases of acute recurrent pancreatitis, lasting for 8 and 10 years, characterized by acute abdominal pain. Pain attacks were associated with headache or typical migraine, myalgia, pruritus, and diarrhoea. In one case, the IgE serum level was increased but for both individuals, the symptoms were reproduced in the 2 hours following the consumption of some particular food. Symptoms abated when the food was avoided. (3)

They concluded that both cases were due to food allergy and that food allergy could, for some people, be the cause of acute recurrent pancreatitis. The problem foods, for these people, were beef, milk, potato, fish, and egg (3).

Another study (de Diego et al) gives details of a 23 year old with recurring episodes of acute pancreatitis. Other symptoms, that occurred at the same time, included red patches on the face, generalized itching and diarrhoea. They were all found to be induced by the consumption of milk (1).

And, Gastaminza et al report on the case of acute pancreatitis being caused by an allergy to kiwi fruit (2).

Although these studies describe these as rare occurrences it does make you wonder how many other people are suffering from this condition and have never had food allergy and intolerance explored as a reason.

(1) de Diego Lorenzo A, Robles Fornieles J, Herrero Lopez T, Cos Arregui E.
Acute pancreatitis associated with milk allergy. Int J Pancreatol 1992
Dec;12(3):319-21.
(2) Gastaminza G, Bernaola G, Camino ME. Acute pancreatitis caused by
allergy to kiwi fruit. Allergy 1998 Nov;53(11):1104-5.
(3) Matteo A, Sarles H. Is food allergy a cause of acute pancreatitis?
Pancreas 1990 Mar;5(2):234-7.