Chronic pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis is a long-standing inflammation of the pancreas that alters the organ's normal structure and functions. It can present as episodes of acute inflammation in a previously injured pancreas, or as chronic damage with persistent pain or malabsorption. It is a disease process characterized by irreversible damage to the pancreas as distinct from reversible changes in acute pancreatitis. Tobacco smoke and alcohol misuse are two of the most frequently implicated causes, and the two risk factors are thought to have a synergistic effect with regards to the development of chronic pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis is a risk factor for the development of pancreatic cancer.
| Chronic pancreatitis | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Pancreatitis – chronic – discharge |
| Axial CT showing multiple calcifications in the pancreas in a patient with chronic pancreatitis | |
| Specialty | Gastroenterology |
| Symptoms | Nausea and vomiting |
| Complications | Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, Endocrine pancreatic insufficiency (Type 3c diabetes), pancreatic pseudocyst, pancreatic cancer, vitamin deficiency (fat-soluble vitamins) |
| Causes | Alcohol(ism), Immune disorder |
| Diagnostic method | Serum trypsinogen, Fecal fat test |
| Treatment | Pain medicines, avoiding alcohol(and smoking), among other possible management efforts |
| Frequency | 50 per 100,000 persons (prevalence) |
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