Factitious Hyperamylasuria

Abstract

THE natural history of alcohol-induced acute pancreatitis is variable.^{1 2 3 4} The patient may ultimately have chronic pancreatitis with intractable abdominal pain requiring narcotic analgesics. We describe a patient who, after an initial bona fide bout of acute alcoholic pancreatitis, sought numerous hospital admissions on the pretext of having abdominal pain caused by pancreatitis, to obtain analgesic injections for his narcotic addiction. The means by which he successfully obtained hospitalization with the diagnosis of pancreatitis were abdominal pain and a high urinary amylase level, which was elevated as a result of contamination with his saliva.Case ReportThe patient was a 23-year-old . . .