Clinical Profile, Etiology and Role of Endotherapy in Chronic Calcific Pancreatitis: An Experience from North India

Abstract

Background: In recent years, we have witnessed an evolving landscape in the management of chronic pancreatitis (CP). Endoscopy plays a pivotal role in CP management. Because the management of CP is problematic, we aimed to review and evaluate the role of endoscopy in the management of CP. Methods: This study was carried out in patients with painful chronic calcific pancreatitis who were admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology at the Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar. This was an observational prospective study. We included 67 patients with painful chronic calcific pancreatitis and pancreatic duct abnormalities (stones, strictures, or ductal variations) in our study. These patients had to access exocrine and endocrine status before any therapeutic measures. All the patients underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) as a therapeutic measure. After ERCP, the patients were followed up for 2 years to assess improvement in pain (visual analog scale score reduction), endocrine status (HBA1C reduction), or exocrine status (Fecal elastase reduction). Results: 67 patients were included in the study. Among them males were 32 (47.8%), females were 35(52.5%) and the age distribution studied were as in the age group of 15-30 years, patients were 23 (34.3%), in 30-45 years, there was 20 (29.9%), in age group of 45-60 year, patients were 20 (29.9%), and in the age group of 60-75 years, the patients were 4 (6%). Etiology was sought in all patients; alcohol-related CP was seen in three patients (4.5%), genetic in 11 (16.4%), IgG4 in one (1.5%), pancreatic divisum in 6 (9.0%), hyperparathyroidism in on1e (1.5%), and idiopathic in 45 (67.2%). All patients underwent ERCP for their symptoms to reduce ductal pressure, which is postulated as one of the hypotheses for pain in CP. Pancreatic duct (PD) clearance was attempted in all patients (complete in 42 [62.7%], partial in 17 [25.4%], and failed in 8 [11.9%]). These patients were followed for a period of two years after endotherapy, and the important predictors for pain reduction were single PD stones, disease in the head and body, and non-stricturing disease. Conclusion: Endotherapy offers a high rate of success in selected patients, clearance being better in distal disease and CP without PD strictures, suggesting early disease usually gets cleared very easily.