causes of pancreatitis (mnemonic)
A catchy and early learnt mnemonic for recalling some of the causes of pancreatitis is:
- I GET SMASHED
Mnemonic
- I: idiopathic
- G: gallstones, genetic - cystic fibrosis
- E: ethanol (alcohol)
- T: trauma
- S: steroids
- M: mumps (and other infections)/malignancy
- A: autoimmune
- S: scorpion stings/spider bites
- H: hyperlipidemia/hypercalcemia/hyperparathyroidism (metabolic disorders)
- E: ERCP
- D: drugs (tetracyclines, furosemide, azathioprine, thiazides and many others)
The first four letters also represent the most common causes of pancreatitis.