Alcohol Drinking Patterns and Risk of Developing Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis

Abstract

Aim The aim was to analyze the effects of drinking pattern and type of alcohol on risk of acute and chronic pancreatitis. Methods Prospective cohort study based on data from 316,751 men and women participating in the Danish National Health Surveys 2010 and 2013. Self-reported questionnaire-based alcohol parameters and information on pancreatitis was obtained from national health registers. Cox regression models were used adjusting for baseline year, gender, age, smoking, Body Mass Index, diet and education. Results Development of acute and chronic pancreatitis increased with alcohol intake with a significant increase among abstainers and those drinking >14 drinks per week compared with individuals drinking 1–7 drinks per week. Frequent binge drinking and frequent drinking (every day) was associated with increased development of acute and chronic pancreatitis compared with those drinking 2–4 days per week. Problematic alcohol use according to the CAGE-C questionnaire was associated with increased development of acute and chronic pancreatitis. Intake of more than 14 drinks of spirits per week was associated with increased development of acute and chronic pancreatitis, and more than 14 drinks of beer per week were associated with increased development of chronic pancreatitis, whereas drinking wine was not associated with development of pancreatitis. Conclusion This large prospective population study showed a J-shaped association between alcohol intake and development of pancreatitis. Drinking every day, frequent binge drinking and problematic alcohol use were associated with increased development of pancreatitis and drinking large amounts of beer and spirits might be more harmful than drinking wine.

Alcohol and the Brain–Gut Axis: The Involvement of Microglia and Enteric Glia in the Process of Neuro-Enteric Inflammation

“…According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), alcohol use disorder (AUD) is "a chronic relapsing brain disorder characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences". At the 46th Research Society of Alcoholism-which was held from 24-28 June 2023 in Bellevue, USA-Dr. George F. Koob, Director of the NIAAA, mentioned during his opening lecture that acute and chronic alcohol consumption not only affects the brain, by causing cognitive and neurological disorders [10,11], but also affects every organ of the body, leading to arrhythmia, cardiovascular disease, hepatitis, and pancreatitis, and especially gut dysbiosis [12][13][14][15][16][17]. Binge alcohol consumption is characterized by 3-5 drinks in a short time of 2-3 h, whereas chronic alcohol consumption is considered as the daily intake of alcohol for several weeks [18].…”