Patient reported exposure to smoking and alcohol abuse are associated with pain and other complications in patients with chronic pancreatitis

Background/objectivesSmoking and alcohol abuse are established risk factors for chronic pancreatitis (CP). Few studies have examined how exposure to smoking and alcohol abuse act as risk factors for complications in CP. Our aim was to examine associations between patient reported exposure to smoking and alcohol abuse and complications in CP in a large cohort of patients from the Scandinavian and Baltic countries.MethodsWe retrieved data on demographics, CP related complications and patients’ histories of exposure to smoking and alcohol abuse from the Scandinavian Baltic Pancreatic Club database. Associations were investigated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results are presented as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals.ResultsA complete history of smoking and alcohol exposure was available for 932 patients. In multivariate regression analyses, the presence of pain and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency were both significantly associated with history of smoking (OR 1.94 (1.40–2.68), p < 0.001 and OR 1.89 (1.36–2.62), p < 0.001, respectively) and alcohol abuse (OR 1.66 (1.21–2.26), p = 0.001 and 1.55 (1.14–2.11), p = 0.005, respectively). Smoking was associated with calcifications (OR 2.89 (2.09–3.96), p < 0.001), moderate to severe ductal changes (OR 1.42 (1.05–1.92), p = 0.02), and underweight (OR 4.73 (2.23–10.02), p < 0.001). History of alcohol abuse was associated with pseudocysts (OR 1.38 (1.00–1.90) p = 0.05) and diabetes mellitus (OR 1.44 (1.03–2.01), p = 0.03). There were significantly increased odds-ratios for several complications with increasing exposure to smoking and alcohol abuse.ConclusionSmoking and alcohol abuse are both independently associated with development of complications in patients with CP. There seems to be a dose-dependent relationship between smoking and alcohol abuse and complications in CP.     

A population-based study of chronic pancreatitis in Finland: Effects on quality of life

Background/ObjectivesIn Finland the incidence of chronic pancreatitis (CP) is high compared to that in most European countries. Recent epidemiological data is lacking. Our aim was to investigate the current epidemiologic and behavioural data on CP patients in Finland.MethodsCP patients according to M-ANNHEIM criteria in Tampere University Hospital (TAUH) during 2014–2015 were included. Aetiology, time from diagnosis, pancreatic function, treatment, complications, smoking, alcohol consumption (AUDIT) and quality of life (QoL) (QLQ C30, PAN26) were gathered.Results235 CP patients (57 (26–88) years, 65% men) were included. Time since diagnosis was 5.5 (1–41) years. Aetiology was alcohol in 67%, and smoking contributed in 54%. Of these patients 78% continued smoking and 58% continued to consume alcohol even after CP diagnosis. CP related complications were common. Pseudocysts were more common in alcohol related CP than in non-alcohol related CP (60% vs. 38%, p < 0.05). Reported QoL and pain were worse in the CP patients than in controls. Alcohol consumption differed from that of the Finnish population; the CP patients were either total abstainers or heavy alcohol consumers.ConclusionsCP constitutes a great burden on the health care system and on the patients. The patients frequently develop complications and symptoms and their QoL is inferior to that of controls. The most important measure to halt the progression of CP would be to prevent acute phases and for patients to stop smoking, which does not happen in many CP patients. It would be beneficial to increase awareness among CP patients and medical professionals.     

Corticosteroids prevent the progression of autoimmune pancreatitis to chronic pancreatitis

Background/objectivesPatients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) sometimes progress to chronic pancreatitis (CP). We evaluated the ability of corticosteroids to prevent the progression to CP.MethodsWe defined patients with definitive findings of CP (stones in the main pancreatic duct [MPD] or multiple pancreatic calcifications) as having severe calcification (SC). A total of 145 AIP patients were enrolled. We measured the duration between AIP diagnosis and SC development and retrospectively compared the time to SC development between patients with and without steroids. Multivariate analysis for factors associated with SC were performed.ResultsNineteen (13%) patients progressed to SC. Since 95 patients had pancreatic head swelling and SC was found in these patients only, our analysis focused mainly on these at-risk populations. In Kaplan-Meier analysis limited to patients with pancreatic head swelling, the incidence of SC was significantly lower in patients with steroids than in those without (hazard ratio [HR] 0.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07–0.52; p < 0.001). Multivariate testing of patients with pancreatic head swelling confirmed that steroid therapy was significantly associated with a lower incidence of SC (HR 0.11, 95% CI 0.03–0.34; p < 0.001), while MPD dilation at AIP diagnosis was related to a higher incidence of SC (HR 4.02, 95% CI 1.43–11.7; p = 0.009).ConclusionsCorticosteroids appeared to prevent progression to CP in AIP patients, especially in those with pancreatic head swelling. Patients with both pancreatic head swelling and MPD dilation at diagnosis have a higher incidence of progression to CP. Steroid therapy is suggested for these high-risk cases.     

Quality of life comparison between smokers and non-smokers with chronic pancreatitis

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of smoking on quality of life in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

Coexistent alcohol-related cirrhosis and chronic pancreatitis have a comparable phenotype to either disease alone: A comparative retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND Alcohol use disorder is a prevalent disease in the United States.It is a welldemonstrated cause of recurrent and long-standing liver and pancreatic injury which can lead to alcohol-related liver cirrhosis(ALC) and chronic pancreatitis(ACP).ALC and ACP are associated with significant healthcare utilization,cost burden,and mortality.The prevalence of coexistent disease(CD) ranges widely in the literature and the intersection between ALC and ACP is inconsistently characterized.As such,th...     

糖尿病前期人群中生活方式干预的依从性评价方法

目的研究糖尿病前期人群中,生活方式干预的依从性评价方法。方法数据来源于“北京糖尿病前期逆转研究”于北京38家医院中开展的一个多中心临床试验。筛选BMI≥24kg／m^2人群501例,完成第1年所有随访。以体重达标率为参照标准,建立依从性评价指标。结果由热量摄入,蛋白质、脂肪、碳水化合物产热比,体育锻炼量5个部分构造依从评分指标,同时考虑了不同测量时间的权重。构造的依从评分指标模型为Y=∑4^52fi（3/6x1i＋2/6x2i＋1/6x3i＋x4i＋x5i）,权重f依次为0．1,0．2,0．3,0．4,1,1,1。依从评分指标以达到8分作为判断是否依从的标准,依从率为85．03％。结论依从评分指标通过将饮食、体育锻炼实际情况和标准情况进行比较,对依从情况进行量化,具有较好的稳定性和可操作性,也适用于BMI〈24kg／m^2人群。     

Analysis of risk factors for pancreatic duct stones formation in patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis

BackgroundAlcoholic chronic pancreatitis (ACP) is the dominant cause of chronic pancreatitis (CP). As a main complication of CP, the formation of pancreatic duct stones (PDS) compromises pancreatic function and symptomatic patients are often subjected to aggressive treatments. The present study aimed to identify PDS risk factors in patients with ACP.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 93 ACP patients was performed; patients were divided into two groups: ACP with PDS (n = 48) and ACP without PDS (n = 45). Fourteen potential factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses to identify independent risk factors of PDS formation in ACP patients. A comparison of demographic and clinical characteristics between ACP patients with PDS and non-ACP patients with PDS (n = 43) was also carried out.ResultsACP accounted for 47.7% (93/195) of CP in this cohort. Among ACP patients, the morbidity of PDS was 51.6% (48/93). Significant risk factors of PDS formation for ACP patients included duration of drinking ≥24.7 years (OR, 9.036; 95% CI, 2.737–29.837; p < 0.001); daily alcohol consumption ≥147.0 g (OR, 3.147; 95% CI, 1.040–9.522; p = 0.042); and MPD narrowing (OR, 7.245; 95% CI, 2.205–23.811; p = 0.001). Shorter periods between diagnosis and PDS formation (PDP) were observed in ACP patients than non-ACP patients.ConclusionsAlcohol consumption accelerates the progression of PDS formation in patients with CP.     

Pharmacological management of pain in chronic pancreatitis

Pain is the major presenting symptom of chronic pancreatitis. Patients with chronic pancreatitis experience substantial impairments in health-related quality of life. Pain may be considered as the most important factor affecting the quality of life. The pathogenesis of pancreatic pain is poorly understood. The cause of pain in chronic pancreatitis is probably multifactorial. This article discusses the various hypotheses that have been suggested to underlie pain. Special attention is paid to the concept of autonomous central sensitisation and hyperalgesia as a cause of pain. Strict abstinence from alcohol is the first step of chronic pancreatic pain management. As a second step, it is important to exclude treatable complications of chronic pancreatitis, such as pseudocysts. Symptomatic treatment with analgesics is often unavoidable in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and eventually opioids are suitable. Several trials have been performed with pancreatic enzymes, but a meta-analysis demonstrated no significant benefit in terms of pain relief. The treatment of chronic pancreatic pain requires a multidisciplinary approach that tailors the various therapeutic options to meet the need of the individual patient.     

Endoscopic treatment of chronic pancreatitis

Treatment of chronic pancreatitis has been exclusively surgical for a long time. Recently, endoscopic therapy has become widely used as a primary therapeutic option. Initially performed for drainage of pancreatic cysts and pseudocysts, endoscopic treatments were adapted to biliary and pancreatic ducts stenosis. Pancreatic sphincterotomy which allows access to pancreatic ducts was firstly reported. Secondly, endoscopic methods of stenting, dilatation, and stones extraction of the bile ducts were applied to pancreatic ducts. Nevertheless, new improvements were necessary： failures of pancreatic stone extraction justified the development of extra-corporeal shock wave lithotripsy; dilatation of pancreatic stenosis was improved by forage with a new device; moreover endosonography allowed guidance for celiac block, gastro-cystostomy, duodeno-cystostomy and pancreatico-gastrostomy. Although endoscopic treatments are more and more frequently accepted, indications are still debated.     

慢性胰腺炎伴胰头部病变的外科手术处理

目的 探讨慢性胰腺炎伴胰头病变患者的外科处理。方法 回顾性总结分析了1998年10月至2001年12月收治27例慢性胰腺炎伴胰头病变患者的临床资料。其中：保留幽门的胰十二指肠切除（PPPI手术）14例（32例慢性胰腺炎的患者术前已有门静脉栓塞），保留十二指肠胰头切除（Beger手术）2例，胰头部分切除，胰空肠侧侧吻合（Frey手术）2例，胰十二指肠切除（Whipple手术）9例，结果 2例慢性胰腺炎合并门静脉血栓的患者术前先行门静脉取栓，降低门静脉压力，然后再针对慢性胰腺炎实行外科手术，术后1例恢复顺利，另1例死于多器官脏器功能衰竭，总的院内并发症率25%，总院内死亡率4%，其中PPPD手术后院内并发症率21%，院内死亡率7%。结论 慢性胰腺炎伴胰头肿大的患者的手术治疗应根据胰腺和邻近周围其它器官的形态学改变决定手术的方法。其结果不仅可以有效地治疗慢性胰腺炎，同时有助于提高胰头癌的诊治水平。     

胰管内支架治疗慢性胰腺炎

目的 探讨胰管内支架引流术治疗慢性胰腺炎的临床疗效。方法 对１４例临床及影像学检查确诊的慢性胰腺炎伴胰管狭窄患者在内镜下进行了胰管内支架引流术,并对术后腹痛缓解率、胃纳、脂肪泻、体重变化及并发症发生率作了近期及远期了随访观察。结果 １４例患者均在内镜下内支架一次性置入成功,支架规格为５～１０Ｆ,术后随访２８～５２０ｄ,平均２１０ｄ,１４例患者术后近期（〈３个月）腹痛缓解率为９２．９％（１３／１４）     

Somatostatin expression in the pancreatic cells of smoking and non-smoking chronic pancreatitis patients with or without diabetes

ObjectivesThe aim of the analysis is to determine the location and degree of the hormone immunoreactivity in tissues of patients with chronic pancreatitis and diabetes.MethodsThe study was performed on 11 non-smoking and 12 smoking patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) with/without diabetes. The hormone was located in the pancreatic tissues by means of the immunohistochemical method using somatostatin antibodies. The histopathological evaluation of the hormone expression intensity in tissue sections was carried out using the semi-quantitative method and was calculated by means of a digital image analysis.ResultsThe hormone's strong immunohistochemical reaction and the modified D-cell location may be a result of the pancreatic tissue fibrosis process prevention in patients with CP. Changes in the intensity of SS immunoreactivity and the D-cell distribution in the pancreas of patients with CP and diabetes may possibly result from the additional hormone compensatory effect in the excessive glucagon secretion inhibition. Smoking patients with diabetes showed significantly higher hormone immunostaining in the pancreas compared to non-smoking patients without diabetes and healthy persons.ConclusionsThe severity of histopathological changes in smoking CP patients indicates that the cigarette smoke components may further exacerbate the inflammatory reactions. Patients with CP were found to have a strong immunohistochemical reaction to SS and changes in the distribution of D cells when compared to healthy patients. The strongest immunohistochemical SS reaction has been identified in the pancreatic tissue from smoking patients with diabetes.     

Association between calcium sensing receptor gene polymorphisms and chronic pancreatitis in a US population： Role of serine protease inhibitor Kazal 1type and alcohol

AIM： To test the hypothesis that calcium sensing receptor （CASR） polymorphisms are associated with chronic pancreatitis （CP）, and to determine whether serine protease inhibitor Kazal 1type （SPINK1） N34S or alcohol are necessary co-factors in its etiology.
METHODS： Initially, 115 subjects with pancreatitis and 66 controls were evaluated, of whom 57 patients and 21 controls were predetermined to carry the high-risk SPINK1 N34S polymorphism. We sequenced CASR gene exons 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, areas containing the majority of reported polymorphisms and novel mutations. Based on the initial results, we added 223 patients and 239 controls to analyze three common nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） in exon 7 （A986S, R990G, and Q1011E）.
RESULTS： The CASR exon 7 R990G polyrnorphism was significantly associated with CP （OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.12-3.59; P = 0.015）. The association between CASR R990G and CP was stronger in subjects who reported moderate or heavy alcohol consumption （OR, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.14-9.13; P = 0.018）. There was no association between the various CASR genotypes and SPINK1 N34S in pancreatitis. None of the novel CASR polymorphisms reported from Germany and India was detected.
CONCLUSION： Our United States-based study confirmed an association of CASR and CP and for the first time demonstrated that CASR R990G is a significant risk factor for CP. We also conclude that the risk of CP with CASR R990G is increased in subjects with moderate to heavy alcohol consumption.     

Risk factors for development of endocrine insufficiency in chronic pancreatitis

Endocrine insufficiency is a common and frequent complication of chronic pancreatitis. Identifying the role of pancreatic damage in the development of diabetes is important for early identification and appropriate management.MethodsAll consecutive CP patients between January 2019 and May 2020 were retrospectively studied. Relevant statistical tests were performed. A two sided p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsTotal 587 chronic pancreatitis patients were included of which 118 (20.1%) patients developed diabetes with duration of 12 (IQR 4–48) months. Older age (OR 1.079; 95% CI 1.045–1.113; p < 0.001), presence of pancreatic parenchymal (OR 2.284; 95% CI 1.036–5.038; p = 0.041) and ductal (OR 2.351; 95% CI 1.062–5.207; p = 0.035) calcifications, exocrine insufficiency (OR 6.287; 95% CI 2.258–17.504; p < 0.001), and pancreatic duct stricture (OR 3.358; 95% CI 1.138–9.912; p = 0.028) were independently associated with development of diabetes mellitus in chronic pancreatitis patients. On cox-regression analysis, smoking (HR 2.370; 95% CI 1.290–4.354; p = 0.005) and pancreatic ductal calcification (HR 2.033; 95% CI 1.286–3.212; p = 0.002) were independently associated with earlier onset of diabetes mellitus in patients with chronic pancreatitis.ConclusionPancreatic calcification, pancreatic duct stricture and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency are associated with development of diabetes mellitus in chronic pancreatitis indicating disease progression. Smoking is the modifiable risk factors associated with early onset of diabetes mellitus in CP patients.     

内镜治疗慢性胰腺炎的探讨

目的 探讨内镜治疗慢性阻塞性胰腺炎疗效及并发症。方法 经内镜治疗２９例慢性胰腺炎中胰管括约肌切开术２７例（１９例为７内镜治疗前处置）,副乳头切开８例,乳头括约肌切开术５例,网篮邓胰石９例,胰管内引流７例,鼻胰管引流３例,辅助探条或球囊扩张共１４例。１３例治疗前、后检测胰腺内分泌功能。结果 ２９例中２６例（８９．７％）治疗后腹痛消失或明显减轻,９例胰腺结石患者中６例取出胰石;７例胰管内引流管未阻塞。     

Surgical options in chronic pancreatitis

Summary Chronic pancreatitis is primarily a medical disease but surgery is indicated to treat complications, rule out malignancy, and ameliorate intractable pain. The ideal operation for chronic pancreatitis would relieve this pain while preserving exocrine and endocrine function. No one procedure achieves these goals in all patients so surgeons must tailor their operations to individual patient needs. In patients with a dilated pancreatic duct, complete ductal decompression with a lateral pancreaticojejunostomy is usually indicated. Pancreatic resection is useful in patients with localized disease, nondialated ducts, or in whom cancer cannot be ruled out. More rigorous documentation of the type and outcome of therapeutic interventions for chronic pancreatitis and the patient populations to whom they are applied is needed. Subjective measurements must be replaced by objective findings so that the true benefits of these procedures can be better assessed and compared.     

Impact of hepatitis C virus infection on lifestyle

AIM: To evaluate the impact of the diagnosis of hepatitis C infection on lifestyle habits such as smoking, drinking, sports activity and diet.METHODS: A self-administered, anonymous question-naire was offered to out-patients with HCV infection consecutively attending three clinical centres in Italy.RESULTS: Of the 275 respondents, 62.2% (171) were male. Mean age was 51 (range 20-80) years. Overall, after the diagnosis of hepatitis C, 74.5% of drinkers had modified (giving up or reducing) alcohol consumption, 21.3% of smokers had modifi ed their habits and 32.3% of subjects who reported sports activity had either stopped or reduced frequency of activity or chose a less fatiguing sport. Sixty-four percent of the respondents reported having modified their diet, most of them on physician's advice. CONCLUSION: After the diagnosis of hepatitis C many patients correctly modif ied their alcohol consumption and a minority their smoking habits. The reason for reported changes in diet and physical activity needs further investigations.