Acute pancreatitis associated with long-term azathioprine therapy. Occurrence in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

A 34-year-old woman with a 13-year history of systemic lupus erythematosus had been taking azathioprine (lmuran) for one year in an effort to control her cutaneous lesions and also as a steroid sparing agent. Acute pancreatitis developed, which we could not relate to her lupus, prednisone administration, viral illness, or other causes. We concluded it was due to azathioprine therapy and wish to report this unusual occurrence.