Elevation of serum amylase and lipase is commonly seen in

• A. Acute pancreatitis
• B. Acute appendicitis
• C. Gallbladder disease
• D. Acid reflux disease

Answer: (A)

Elevations of pancreatic enzymes point to injury of the pancreas itself. In acute pancreatitis, inflammation damages the pancreatic acinar cells, causing both amylase and lipase to leak into the bloodstream. Lipase is more specific for pancreatic injury and tends to remain elevated longer, so it’s a particularly useful marker. The other conditions listed do not classically cause a meaningful, concurrent rise in these pancreatic enzymes: acute appendicitis may cause some nonspecific changes but not a typical marked elevation of both enzymes; gallbladder disease alone usually does not elevate pancreatic enzymes unless pancreatitis develops; acid reflux disease does not involve the pancreas and thus does not raise these enzymes.