What Do We Currently Know about the Pathophysiology of Alcoholic Pancreatitis: A Brief Review

Abstract

Background: Alcoholic pancreatitis is a serious medical concern worldwide and remains to be one of the common causes of pancreatic disease.

Summary: While alcohol consumption causes direct damage to pancreatic tissue, only a small percentage of active drinkers will develop pancreatitis. An explanation of this phenomenon is probably that alcohol increases pancreatic vulnerability to damage; however, the simultaneous presence of additional risk factors and pancreatic costressors is required to increase the risk of pancreatitis and its complications caused by alcohol misuse. Recently, a number of important genetic as well as environmental factors influencing the risk of alcoholic pancreatitis have been described.

Key messages: In brief, this review reports established factors for the development of alcoholic pancreatitis and summarizes recent progress made in basic and clinical research.

Keywords: Acute and chronic pancreatitis; Alcohol-related disease; Environmental factors in pancreatitis; Genetic factors in pancreatitis.