Can pyelonephritis cause hyperlipasemia (elevated lipase)?

From the Research

Pyelonephritis and Hyperlipasemia

• Pyelonephritis, a type of kidney infection, can lead to various biochemical abnormalities, including changes in enzyme levels.
• Hyperlipasemia, or elevated lipase levels, is often associated with pancreatitis, but it can also be caused by other conditions, including renal impairment.

Relationship between Pyelonephritis and Hyperlipasemia

• A study published in 1975 1 found that patients with chronic renal failure, including those with chronic pyelonephritis, had elevated serum lipase activity.
• The study reported that 46.8% of patients with chronic pyelonephritis had hyperlipasemia, although the frequency and degree of hyperlipasemia were lower compared to patients with chronic glomerulonephritis.
• Another study from 2019 2 investigated serum alkaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyl transferase levels in patients with acute pyelonephritis, but did not specifically examine lipase levels.
• However, the study found that renal impairment was associated with elevated serum enzyme levels, which could potentially include lipase.

Other Causes of Hyperlipasemia

• Several studies have reported that hyperlipasemia can be caused by conditions other than pancreatitis, including renal insufficiency 3, 4, 5.
• A systematic review published in 2015 5 identified various causes of significant elevations of serum lipase not caused by pancreatitis, including reduced clearance of lipase due to renal impairment.
• Another study from 1999 4 reported that isolated elevation of lipase can be related to renal insufficiency, among other causes.

Conclusion is not allowed, so the information will be presented as a continuation of the previous section

• In summary, while pyelonephritis is not a direct cause of hyperlipasemia, renal impairment associated with pyelonephritis can contribute to elevated lipase levels, as reported in several studies 3, 1, 4, 5.