Don’t request amylase in addition to lipase if acute pancreatitis is suspected.

Don’t request amylase in addition to lipase if acute pancreatitis is suspected.

Type of practice

Laboratory tests

Age

Adult, Geriatric, Pediatric

Topic Area

Laboratory Medicine

The diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is based on persistent and severe abdominal pain, high blood lipase or amylase value, and characteristic imaging. Lipase is more sensitive and specific than amylase and remains high longer.

Sources

1. Johnson CD. UK guidelines for the management of acute pancreatitis. Gut 2005; 53 (Suppl III):1-9.
2. Ismail OZ, Bhayana V. Lipase or amylase for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis? Clin Biochem 2017; 50: 1275-80.
3. Crockett SD, Wani S, Gardner TB, et al. American Gastroenterological Association Institute Guideline on Initial Management of Acute Pancreatitis. Gastroenterology 2018;154:1096-1101
4. Yi KQ, Yang T, Yang YM, et al. Appraisal of the diagnostic procedures of acute pancreatitis in the guidelines. Syst Rev 2021;10:17.

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Attention. Please note that these items are provided only for information and are not intended as a substitute for consultation with a clinician. Patients with any specific questions about the items on this list or their individual situation should consult their clinician.