Mildly symptomatic liraglutide-induced acute pancreatitis in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a case report

Abstract
Background
Acute pancreatitis (AP) represents a serious clinical challenge as it can threaten the patient’s life if it is missed or improperly managed. Liraglutide is one of the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA) which represent a novel class of antidiabetic medications in the Egyptian market. Hereby, we report a case of liraglutide-induced acute pancreatitis with atypical presentation.

Case presentation
A 53-year-old Egyptian male patient with diabetes presented to the emergency department with abdominal discomfort and vomiting without significant abdominal pain. Serum lipase and amylase were elevated more than three folds the upper normal limit (NUL 300 and 110 U/L respectively); abdominal ultrasonography was inconclusive, but contrast-enhanced computed tomography was diagnostic. A diagnosis of liraglutide-induced AP was built after exclusion of other causes. After admission, his medications were modified and improved clinically after 1 week.

Conclusion
Mildly symptomatic AP in diabetic patients is a clinical challenge as it can be missed. Therefore, in certain clinical situations, AP should be suspected in patients administrating liraglutide particularly for those with autonomic neuropathy.