Autoimmune Pancreatitis
Inflammatory Pancreatic Disease
Until 1995, when autoimmune pancreatitis was first described, pancreatitis was considered a disease induced exclusively by alcoholism.
The Pancreas and its Function
The pancreas is an endocrine gland situated in the abdominal cavity that helps regulate blood glucose levels and assists with the digestion of fatty lipids.
Inflammation of the pancreas, which is known as pancreatitis, has traditionally been associated with alcohol abuse. However, in 1995 researchers first described a form of chronic pancreatitis associated with autoimmune manifestations.
Autoimmune Origins
Today it's known that about 5-6 percent of all cases of chronic pancreatitis are autoimmune in nature. And according to recent reports, the incidence of autoimmune pancreatitis appears to be rising, particularly in Japan, Europe, the United States, and Korea.
Autoimmune pancreatitis is generally considered a benign disorder because patients typically respond favorably to treatment with corticosteroids. Autoimmune pancreatitis is also known by other names including lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis with cholangitis, idiopathic duct destructive pancreatitis, primary inflammatory pancreatitis, non-alcoholic duct destructive chronic pancreatitis, pseudotumorous pancreatitis, tumefactive pancreatitis, and destructive pancreatitis depending on the specific tissue changes found on biopsy or the predominant and accompanying symptoms.
Who Is Affected?
Autoimmune pancreatitis occurs in twice as many men as women. The initial presentation usually occurs between ages 50-60, but patients can also develop autoimmune pancreatitis as early as age 30 as well as late in life.
Autoimmune pancreatitis can occur as alone or in association with other autoimmune disorders including sclerosing cholangitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, sarcoidosis, and Sjogren's syndrome. In addition, autoimmune pancreatitis has been seen in association with retroperitneal fibrosis and lung nodules.
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