Pancreatitis

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Definition/Description

Pancreatitis

• Pancreatitis is a potentially serious disorder characterized by inflammation of the pancreas that may cause autodigestion of the organ by its own enzymes. This disease has two manifestations: acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis (patho 912)
  

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Acute Pancreatitis

• Acute pancreatitis is the result of an inflammatory process involving the pancreas caused by the release of activated pancreatic enzymes. In addition to the pancreas, this disorder can also affect surrounding organs, as well as cause a systemic reaction. This form of pancreatitis is generally brief in duration, milder in symptom presentation, and reversible. However, while this form of the disease resolves both clinically and histologically, approximately 15% of patients with acute pancreatitis will develop chronic pancreatitis (patho 912, merck 128).
• Acute pancreatitis may present as mild or severe. Milder forms of acute pancreatitis involve only the interstitium of the pancreas, which accounts for 80% of all cases, and has a temperate presentation with fewer complications. However, severe forms involve necrosis of the pancreatic tissue, which occurs in 20% of cases, and results in increased complications and mortality (patho 912, merck 128).

Chronic Pancreatitis

• Chronic pancreatitis develops from chronic inflammation of the pancreas that results in irreversible and progressive histologic changes. This includes fibrosis and ductal strictures, which destroy the pancreas directly, as well as decreased endocrine and exocrine functions, which can negatively affect other body systems. Unlike acute pancreatitis, this form of the disease is characterized by recurrent or persistent symptoms (patho 914 and 912, merck 128).

Prevalence

Acute Pancreatitis

There are an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 cases in the United States each year, and 210,000 hospitalizations as a result. Of these, 80% are mild in nature, while 20% are necrotizing and severe, and approximately 2,000 patients die each year from associated complications. In addition, men are affected more frequently than women (foundation, cleveland, nddic).

Chronic Pancreatitis

Worldwide, there are approximately 1.6 to 23 cases per 100,000 each year. In the United States alone chronic pancreatitis results in over 122,000 outpatient visits and 56,000 hospitalizations each year. Chronic pancreatitis also has a higher prevalence in men than women, and often develops between the ages of 30 and 40. This disease is rare in children (nddic, cleveland).

Characteristics/Clinical Presentation

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Associated Co-morbidities

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Medications

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Diagnostic Tests/Lab Tests/Lab Values

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Causes

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Systemic Involvement

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Medical Management (current best evidence)

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Physical Therapy Management (current best evidence)

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Alternative/Holistic Management (current best evidence)

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Differential Diagnosis

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Case Reports

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Resources

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Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)

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References

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