DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Gastroenterologic Disease

Chronic Pancreatitis

HIGH SEVERITY

A progressive inflammatory disease of the pancreas causing permanent structural damage and loss of function. Characterized by chronic abdominal pain, exocrine insufficiency (malabsorption), and endocrine insufficiency (diabetes). Most commonly caused by alcohol.

Global Affected

1.2M

Countries

111

Symptoms

Chronic upper abdominal pain
Pain radiating to back
Weight loss
Steatorrhea (fatty stools)
Nausea and vomiting
Diabetes (late)
Malnutrition
Jaundice (duct obstruction)

Treatment Options

Alcohol cessation
Pancreatic enzyme replacement
Pain management
Antioxidants
Insulin (if diabetic)
Endoscopic therapy
Surgery (pancreaticojejunostomy)
Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation

Risk Factors

1Alcohol abuse (60-70%)
2Smoking
3Genetic mutations (PRSS1, SPINK1, CFTR)
4Autoimmune pancreatitis
5Obstruction (pancreatic divisum)
6Hypertriglyceridemia
7Hypercalcemia

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Clinical presentation
  • 2CT/MRI (calcifications, duct changes)
  • 3MRCP/ERCP
  • 4EUS
  • 5Fecal elastase
  • 6Secretin stimulation test
  • 7Genetic testing
  • 8Autoantibodies (autoimmune type)

Prognosis

Progressive disease; no cure. 20-year survival ~50%. Increased pancreatic cancer risk (4% lifetime). Diabetes develops in 30-50%. Pain management challenging.

Prevention

  • Alcohol abstinence
  • Smoking cessation
  • Genetic counseling
  • Early treatment of predisposing conditions
  • Low-fat diet

Research Status

Pancreatic enzyme replacement mainstay. Antioxidant therapy controversial. Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation for severe cases. Endoscopic therapy for ductal stones/strictures. SPINK1 and CFTR genetic testing. Research into anti-fibrotic therapies.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanChinaIndiaBrazilRussiaSwedenNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkNorwayFinlandPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaSingaporeTaiwanHong KongMalaysiaThailandVietnamIndonesiaPhilippinesSouth AfricaNigeriaEgyptTurkeyIranSaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitOmanJordanLebanonSyriaYemenIraqAfghanistanPakistanBangladeshLKNPMMKHLAMNKazakhstanUzbekistanTMKGTJAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMEMKSerbiaXKMexicoArgentinaChileColombiaPeruVenezuelaEcuadorUYPYBOCRPAGuatemalaHNSVNIBZJMHaitiDominican RepublicCuba

Sources

  • https://www.cdc.gov/
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions
  • https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.