Therapy of acute pancreatitis in systemic lupus erythematosus with plasmapheresis and corticosteroids.

A 24-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus had, after reduction of corticosteroid therapy, a severe relapse of the disease with hepatitis, nephritis and pleurisy. After admission to the hospital, she was given 60-80 mg/day of prednisone and acute pancreatitis developed on the third day. Plasmapheresis, followed by injection of 1 g of methylprednisolone, was started. This combined therapy induced a prompt and complete recovery in a few days.