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Complications of Chronic Pancreatitis

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Abstract

Chronic pancreatitis is a disease that leads to irreversible changes in the pancreatic morphology and function. The loss of function can lead to diabetes mellitus and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. The inflammation and fibrosis can also lead to other complications including a chronic abdominal pain syndrome, metabolic bone disease, and pancretic cancer. This article reviews our current understanding of the mechanisms and management of these complications of chronic pancreatitis.

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Abbreviations

BMD:

Bone mineral density

CP:

Chronic pancreatitis

CCK:

Cholecystokinin

EPI:

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

PDAC:

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

PERT:

Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy

DM:

Diabetes mellitus

T3cDM:

Type 3c diabetes mellitus

PFT:

Pancreatic function testing

TZD:

Thiazolidinediones

GLP-1:

Glucagon-like peptide-1

GIP:

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide

SVT:

Splenic vein thrombosis

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Acknowledgments

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Cancer Institute and National Institute of Diabetes And Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) under Award Number U01DK108327 (PH, DC). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

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Correspondence to Phil A. Hart.

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Hart (Abbvie, Inc., honorarium for speaking and KC Specialty Therapeutics, LLC, consulting fees).

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Ramsey, M.L., Conwell, D.L. & Hart, P.A. Complications of Chronic Pancreatitis. Dig Dis Sci 62, 1745–1750 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-017-4518-x

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