Chronic pancreatitis | |
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Other names | Pancreatitis – chronic – discharge[1] |
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Axial CT showing multiple calcifications in the pancreas in a patient with chronic pancreatitis | |
Specialty | Gastroenterology ![]() |
Symptoms | Nausea and vomiting[1][2] |
Complications | Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, Endocrine pancreatic insufficiency (Type 3c diabetes), pancreatic pseudocyst,[3] pancreatic cancer,[3] vitamin deficiency (fat-soluble vitamins)[3] |
Causes | Alcohol(ism), Immune disorder[4] |
Diagnostic method | Serum trypsinogen, Fecal fat test[1] |
Treatment | Pain medicines, avoiding alcohol(and smoking), among other possible management efforts[1] |
Frequency | 50 per 100,000 persons (prevalence) |
Chronic pancreatitis is a long-standing inflammation of the pancreas that alters the organ's normal structure and functions.[1] 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.[5][6] 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.[3] Chronic pancreatitis is a risk factor for the development of pancreatic cancer.[3]
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