Aim to lower the risk of acute pancreatitis

A percentage reduction in triglycerides may not be sufficient in Familial Chylomicronaemia Syndrome (FCS) - guidelines state that the risk of acute pancreatitis is clinically significant at triglycerides >10 mmol/L (880 mg/dL)1

FCS can be diagnosed genetically or clinically2,3

If genetic testing poses a challenge, common clinical criteria can be used to support diagnosis2,3

Factors that can clinically characterise FCS include:2-4

  • Persistent triglyceride levels above 10 mmol/L (880 mg/dL)
  • Prior history of acute pancreatitis
  • Recurrent hospitalisations for severe abdominal pain without other explainable cause
  • History of childhood pancreatitis
  • Family history of hypertriglyceridaemia-induced acute pancreatitis

In cases of recurrent acute pancreatitis, consider a diagnosis of FCS2,5,6

The PRIMARY GOAL of FCS treatment is to reduce acute pancreatitis risk1,7,8

Affecting more than 50% of people with FCS, acute pancreatitis is the most severe potentially fatal complication.4 To reduce the risk of acute pancreatitis, the primary goal of FCS treatment is lowering triglyceride levels to a clinically significant threshold1,8

An increasing risk of acute pancreatitis6

>11.3

~17x

>10

~14x

People with triglycerides >10 mmol/L (880 mg/dL) are in an established acute pancreatitis risk danger zone1

>5.7–≤10

~3x

≥2.3–≤5.7

~1.5x

<2.3

Triglycerides(mmol/L)

People with triglycerides >10 mmol/L (880 mg/dL) face a 14x greater risk of acute pancreatitis compared with people with normal triglyceride levels9

People with FCS report that their disease impacts their mental well-being and social lives10

In a survey of 166 people with FCS, one of the most common emotional symptoms is constant uncertainty about the possibility of acute pancreatitis or pain10

Icon of a clock with urgency.

Uncertainty about acute pancreatitis or pain

Icon of an anxious looking face.

Anxiety, fear, or worry about health

Icon of a fork and knife.

Uncertainty about what or how to eat

Icon of helpless looking face.

Feeling out of control because of their FCS

Guidelines support the ≤10 mmol/L (880 mg/dL) target1

Clinical guidelines recommend targeting triglycerides ≤10 mmol/L (880 mg/dL) to reduce the risk of acute pancreatitis1

The European Society of Cardiology and European Atherosclerosis Society Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias

View Guidelines

LOWER THE RISK OF ACUTE PANCREATITIS BY AIMING TO MAINTAIN THE GUIDELINE-RECOMMENDED TARGET OF ≤10 MMOL/L (880 mg/dL)1

Do current approaches enable you to aim low enough in FCS?

Explore current approaches

Abbreviations

AP, acute pancreatitis; FCS, Familial Chylomicronaemia Syndrome.

Show References Expand Collapse

  1. Mach F, Baigent C, et al. Eur Heart J. 2020;41(1):111–88.
  2. Larouche MB, Watts GFC, et al. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2025;32(2):75–88.
  3. Moulin P, Dufour R, et al. Atherosclerosis. 2018;275:265–72.
  4. Javed F, Hegele RA, et al. J Clin Lipidol. 2025;19(3):382–403.
  5. Stroes E, Moulin P, et al. Atheroscler Suppl. 2017;23:1–7.
  6. Gaudet D, Alexander VJ, et al. N Engl J Med. 2014;371(23):2200–6.
  7. Gaudet D, Stevenson M, et al. Lipids Health Dis. 2020;19(1):120.
  8. Shamsudeen I, Hegele RA, et al. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2022;15(4):395–405.
  9. Sanchez RJ, Ge W, et al. Lipids Health Dis. 2021;20(1):72.
  10. Davidson M, Stevenson M, et al. J Clin Lipidol. 2018;12(4):898–907.

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