I'll let the statisticians decide if zero cases in one arm of the study, vs. one case in each of the other two arms, is statistically significant. But as more data comes out on liraglutide as well as Byetta/exenatide, I'm now becoming more convinced that the pancreatitis seen with both of the GLP-1 inhibitors is somehow related to the use of the drug.

And I repeat my previous advice to people taking Byetta:

• Don't stop your Byetta if you're taking it simply because of this issue, unless your blood tests (amylase, lipase) are positive for pancreatitis!
• Since gut side effects are common with Byetta, and your doctor probably has had dozens or hundreds of people calling about tummy upsets on this drug, you'll have to push your doc -- ask him/her to read the FDA warning.
• Ask for a pair of blood tests called "amylase and lipase" to confirm or rule out pancreatitis.
• And finally, if you've had acute pancreatitis while on Byetta, be sure your physician reports your case to the manufacturer and/or the FDA.