Chronic pancreatitis
Template:Cs1 config Template:Infobox medical condition (new) Chronic pancreatitis is a long-standing inflammation of the pancreas that alters the organ's normal structure and functions.<ref name="MedlinePlusEncyclopedia Chronic pancreatitis">Template:MedlinePlusEncyclopedia</ref> 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.<ref name="Brock Nielsen Lelic Drewes Pathophysiology of chronic pancreatitis"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Vege 2022" /> Chronic pancreatitis is a risk factor for the development of pancreatic cancer.<ref name="Vege 2022" />
Signs and symptomsEdit
- Upper abdominal pain: Upper abdominal pain which increases after drinking or eating, lessens when fasting or sitting and leaning forward. Some people may not suffer pain.<ref name="MedlinePlusEncyclopedia Chronic pancreatitis"/><ref name='uni_chicago_medicine'>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- Nausea and vomiting<ref name="MedlinePlusEncyclopedia Chronic pancreatitis"/><ref name='uni_chicago_medicine'/>
- Steatorrhea: Frequent, oily, foul-smelling bowel movements. Damage to the pancreas can reduce the production of pancreatic enzymes that aid digestion, causing Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. Fats and nutrients are not absorbed properly, leading to loose, greasy stool known as steatorrhea. It can also lead to malnutrition.<ref name="MedlinePlusEncyclopedia Chronic pancreatitis"/><ref name='uni_chicago_medicine'/>
- Weight loss even when eating habits and amounts are normal.<ref name="MedlinePlusEncyclopedia Chronic pancreatitis"/>
- Type 3c diabetes (pancreatogenic diabetes):<ref name="Vege 2022">Template:Cite journal</ref> Chronic pancreatitis can affect the ability of the pancreatic islets to produce insulin to regulate glucose levels, leading to diabetes type 3c. Symptoms of diabetes type 3c are due to elevated sugar and may include increased hunger and thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, fatigue, and blurry vision.<ref name="Pancreatic Cancer Action">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Osteopathy:<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Chronic pancreatitis is associated with an increased risk of osteopathy, including osteoporosis and osteopenia. Malnutrition, inflammation, and lifestyle factors contribute to the high prevalence of bone disorders in chronic pancreatitis patients.
There have been three pain symptom profiles described in those with chronic pancreatitis. Type A involves intermittent, severe symptom flare-ups with or without objective pancreatitis separated by pain-free periods. The type A symptom profile is usually more common early in the course of chronic pancreatitis.<ref name="Vege 2022" /> Type B chronic pancreatitis involves chronic pain accompanied by intermittent severe attacks.<ref name="Vege 2022" /> And, the type C symptom profile of chronic pancreatitis involves chronic, long-term, severe pain without interspersed acute flare-ups or symptom exacerbations.<ref name="Vege 2022" />
CausesEdit
Among the causes of chronic pancreatitis are the following:<ref name="emed">Template:EMedicine</ref> Template:Columns-list
Chronic alcohol misuse and smoking are well-established risk factors for the development of chronic pancreatitis, and the two are thought to have a synergistic effect with regard to disease development.<ref name="Vege 2022" /><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Alcohol use is present in 42–77% of those who have chronic pancreatitis, and tobacco use is present in greater than 60% of those with chronic pancreatitis.<ref name="Vege 2022" /> Genetic mutations are thought to be responsible for 10% of cases. This includes mutations of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 1 (SPINK1), and the chymotrypsin C (CTRC) proteins.<ref name="Vege 2022" /> 28% of cases of chronic pancreatitis are idiopathic (of an unknown cause).<ref name="Vege 2022" /> In a small group of patients, chronic pancreatitis has been shown to be hereditary. Hereditary pancreatitis, which causes 1% of chronic pancreatitis, involves a mutation of the Trypsin 1 gene that is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion.<ref name="Vege 2022" /> Almost all patients with cystic fibrosis have established chronic pancreatitis, usually from birth. Cystic fibrosis gene mutations have also been identified in patients with chronic pancreatitis but in whom there were no other manifestations of cystic fibrosis. Obstruction of the pancreatic duct because of either a benign or malignant process may result in chronic pancreatitis.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
PathophysiologyEdit
The mechanism of chronic pancreatitis viewed from a genetic standpoint indicates early onset of severe epigastric pain beginning in childhood. It is an autosomal dominant disease; chronic pancreatitis disease is identified in the cationic trypsinogen gene PRSS1, and mutation, R122H. R122H is the most common mutation for hereditary chronic pancreatitis with replacement of arginine with histidine at amino acid position 122 of the trypsinogen protein. There are, of course, other mechanisms – alcohol, malnutrition, smoking – each exhibiting its own effect on the pancreas.<ref name="Brock Nielsen Lelic Drewes Pathophysiology of chronic pancreatitis">Template:Cite journal</ref>
DiagnosisEdit
The diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis is made based on the history and characteristics of symptoms combined with findings on radiologic imaging.<ref name="Vege 2022" /> Serum amylase and lipase may be moderately elevated in cases of chronic pancreatitis.
Symptoms of diarrhea, with oily, bulky, and foul-smelling stools indicated steatorrhea or fat malabsorption due to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency can be confirmed by also checking a fecal elastase level, with low levels specifying exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.<ref name="Vege 2022" /> A quantitative fecal fat test can also be done to quantify the fat levels in the stool and confirm the presence of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.<ref name="Vege 2022" />
When chronic pancreatitis is caused by genetic factors, elevations in ESR, IgG4, rheumatoid factor, ANA and anti-smooth muscle antibody may be detected.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Computed tomography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) all have similar sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing chronic pancreatitis.<ref name="Vege 2022" /> MRCP is particularly utilized for its sensitivity in imaging the pancreatic ducts and bile ducts for associated changes such as stones or strictures.<ref name="Vege 2022" /><ref name="Kamat Gupta Rana Imaging in chronic pancreatitis"/> A biopsy of the pancreas is not required for the diagnosis.<ref name="Vege 2022" /> On imaging, pancreatic and bile duct dilatation, atrophy of the pancreas, multiple calcifications of the pancreas, and enlargement of pancreatic glands can be found.<ref name="Kamat Gupta Rana Imaging in chronic pancreatitis">Template:Cite journal</ref>
On MRI scan, there is a low T1 signal due to inflammation, fibrosis, focal lesions, and calcifications. In those who are given a contrast agent, there would be a higher T1 signal with late gadolinium enhancement due to compression from the fibrotic areas. The overall thickness of the pancreas will be reduced.<ref name="Kamat Gupta Rana Imaging in chronic pancreatitis"/>
TreatmentEdit
The different treatment options for the management of chronic pancreatitis are medical measures, therapeutic endoscopy, and surgery.<ref name="AGA statement Treatment of pain">Template:Cite journal</ref> Treatment is directed, when possible, to the underlying cause, and to relieve pain and malabsorption. Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus may occur and need long-term insulin therapy.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The abdominal pain can be very severe and require high doses of analgesics, sometimes including opiates. Medications such as pregabalin, gabapentin, tricyclic antidepressants and serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are commonly used to treat pain in chronic pancreatitis.<ref name="Vege 2022" /> Alcohol cessation is important to manage pain and slow the calcific process, possibly reducing the future risk of flare-ups.<ref name="AGA statement Treatment of pain"/> Antioxidants may help, but it is unclear if the benefits are meaningful.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Endoscopic treatments, including removal of stones in the pancreatic duct, and dilation of strictures may be done.<ref name="Vege 2022" /> Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy can also be done, in which external acoustic waves are administered to break the stones. This may be combined with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography to collect larger stones.<ref name="Vege 2022" />
Behavioral treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy including resilience training, stress management, chronic pain rehabilitation programs and addiction treatment may also be used as adjunct treatments.<ref name="Vege 2022" />
Pancreatic enzymesEdit
Pancreatic enzyme replacement is often effective in treating the malabsorption and steatorrhea associated with chronic pancreatitis. Treatment of CP consists of the administration of a solution of pancreatic enzymes with meals. Some patients do have pain reduction with enzyme replacement, and since they are relatively safe, giving enzyme replacement to a chronic pancreatitis patient is an acceptable step in treatment for most patients. Treatment may be more likely to be successful in those without the involvement of large ducts and those with idiopathic pancreatitis.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
SurgeryEdit
Surgery to treat chronic pancreatitis tends to be divided into two areas – resectional and drainage procedures. Among the reasons to opt for surgery is if there is a pseudocyst, fistula, ascites, or a fixed obstruction.<ref name=emed/> The Puestow procedure (anastomosis of the pancreatic duct to the jejunum to allow drainage of the obstructed duct), pancreaticoduodenectomy (partial pancreatic resection), or total pancreatectomy with or without autologous islet cell transplantation (removal of the whole pancreas, which is usually reserved for cases refractory to other surgical and medical interventions) may be used for treatment of chronic pancreatitis.<ref name="u636">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Vege 2022" />
EpidemiologyEdit
The annual incidence of chronic pancreatitis is 5 to 12 per 100,000 persons.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The prevalence of chronic pancreatitis in the U.S. is 90-100 per 100,000 adults.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Machicado_2019">Template:Cite journal</ref> Chronic pancreatitis affects people in countries around the world.<ref name="Machicado_2019" />
See alsoEdit
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