Pancreatitis

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

An acute response to injury of the pancreas

Chronic pancreatitis can result in permanent damage to the structure and endocrine and exocrine functions of the pancreas

Question 2

Aetiology/ causes

Answer 2

The two most common causes of acute pancreatitis are gallstones (35% to 40% of cases) and alcohol use (30% of cases)

Additional causes include autoimmune pancreatitis, hypertriglyceridemia, post-endoscopic retrograde, genetic risk, pancreatic duct injury and medications.

Question 3

Risk factors

Answer 3

Excessive alcohol consumption
Smoking
Obesity
Diabetes

Question 4

Epidemiology/ Population affected

Answer 4

Peak incidence between 30-40y/o

Occurs in men more than women

Question 5

Clinical presentation

Answer 5

Upper abdominal pain
Abdominal pain that radiates to your back
Tenderness when touching the abdomen
Fever
Rapid pulse
Nausea
Vomiting

Question 6

Prognosis

Answer 6

80–85% of people with acute pancreatitis will have mild self-limiting disease, with a mortality rate of 1–3%.

Question 7

DDX (acute and chronic)

Answer 7

Acute:
Peptic ulcer disease (PUD)
Choledocholithiasis
Cholecystitis
Perforated viscus
Acute Mesenteric Ischaemia
Intestinal obstruction

Chronic:
Acute recurrent pancreatitis
Pancreatic malignancy
Chronic mesenteric ischemia