A 50-year-old male with a history of alcohol use disorder presents with sudden severe epigastric pain radiating directly to the back, relieved by leaning forward. Which serum biomarker is most specific for diagnosing acute pancreatitis?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Serum Lipase
- Step 1: Acute pancreatitis diagnosis requires two of three criteria: characteristic epigastric abdominal pain, serum amylase or lipase ≥ 3 times the upper reference limit, and characteristic imaging findings.
- Step 2: Serum lipase remains elevated longer (8–14 days) and demonstrates greater diagnostic sensitivity and organ specificity for pancreatic tissue than amylase, which is also produced by salivary glands.
Answer
Serum Lipase.
Why not the others: Amylase has a shorter half-life and lower specificity; ALP indicates biliary stasis; ALT reflects hepatocellular injury.
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