Chronic Pancreatitis: Managing a Difficult Disease

Phil A. Hart, Darwin L. Conwell

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

85 Scopus citations

Abstract

Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by progressive, irreversible morphologic and functional changes that are most commonly attributed to environmental insults, particularly when there is a genetic or anatomic predisposition. Heavy alcohol use and cigarette smoking are the most common environmental risk factors, but both may be absent. Antecedent episodes of acute pancreatitis occur in about half of patients. Abdominal pain is the most common symptom and requires a tailored approach depending on the anatomic changes in the pancreas. Other clinical manifestations include diabetes mellitus, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, metabolic bone disease, pancreatic cancer, and anatomic complications. Current disease management is centered on risk factor reduction and screening for and treating disease complications. There are no current therapies to delay or retard disease progression, but there are ongoing efforts to more fully understand the natural history of chronic pancreatitis and underlying mechanisms of disease. These studies are expected to provide insights that will transform our approach to disease management and provide increased hope to patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)49-55
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican Journal of Gastroenterology
Volume115
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2020

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 by The American College of Gastroenterology.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hepatology
  • Gastroenterology

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