INVESTIGATIONS INTO HYPERLIPIDEMIA AND ITS POSSIBLE ...

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A serum triglyceride concentration of 862 mg/dL was selected based on ROC
analysis, and this concentration was associated with a greater than 3-fold likelihood for
having a serum cPLI concentration that is considered consistent with pancreatitis
compared to the likelihood for dogs with triglyceride concentrations ≤ 862 mg/dL. The
likelihood ratio for having a serum cPLI concentration that is consistent with pancreatitis
was often higher (up to 8.5) when higher serum triglyceride concentrations were selected
(Figure 2). Increases of serum triglyceride concentrations ≥ 862 mg/dL are generally
considered to be rather severe. Results of the present study suggest that the severity of
hypertriglyceridemia is an important factor affecting the risk for increased cPLI
concentration consistent with pancreatitis in Miniature Schnauzers, and that only
severely increased serum triglyceride concentrations are associated with an increased
risk for an increased cPLI concentration consistent with pancreatitis in this breed. Mildly
or moderately elevated serum triglyceride concentrations (e.g., < 800 mg/dL) did not
appear to represent a risk factor for a serum cPLI concentration suggestive of
pancreatitis in this study. These findings are in agreement with studies in humans, in
which only severe hypertriglyceridemia is recognized as a cause of pancreatitis. 254,255 In
humans, it has been reported that a serum triglyceride concentration above 1,000 mg/dL
is an identifiable risk factor for pancreatitis. 255
In human patients, it has been described that hypertriglyceridemia can either be
the cause or the result of pancreatitis, and the same has also been suggested for
dogs. 19,165,255 When hypertriglyceridemia is the result of pancreatitis in humans it is
usually mild to moderate, while hypertriglyceridemia that causes pancreatitis is usually