Non-alcoholic fatty pancreas disease

Abstract

Obesity is a growing problem worldwide and disorders associated with excess body fat including the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease and malignant neoplasms are becoming a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Over the past decade, a vast amount of research has furthered our understanding of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; however, only recently pancreatic fat infiltration is coming to the forefront of investigation. Termed non-alcoholic fatty pancreas disease (NAFPD), it is becoming evident that it has important associations with other diseases of obesity. It appears to arise as obesity progresses and after an initial phase of pancreatic hypertrophy and hyperplasia, fatty infiltration becomes apparent. Various studies have demonstrated that NAFPD may exacerbate the severity of acute pancreatitis, promote pancreatic dysfunction associated with insulin resistance and T2DM, and even have links to the development of pancreatic carcinoma, and therefore, it must be investigated in further detail.

Non‐alcoholic fatty pancreas disease as a risk factor for pancreatic cancer based on endoscopic ultrasound examination among pancreatic cancer patients: A single‐center experience

“…The clinical pathway from simple fatty infiltration of the pancreas, the steato‐pancreatitis condition, to the possibility of pancreatic cancer development has not been well studied yet. However, it has been hypothesized that this condition is closely related to the insulin resistance condition 6, 7…”

“…However, it has been hypothesized that this condition is closely related to the insulin resistance condition. 6,7 Fatty pancreas is a common incidental finding during transabdominal ultrasound examination. The impact of this finding has been unexplored in gastroenterology practice due to the unknown outcome of follow up.…”

“…Advance imaging, such as an abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cannot be used routinely to examine pancreas in daily practice as it would be too costly in the medical check-up setting. 6 Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is the best method to examine the pancreas, but it is still unethical to use it as a screening tool because of the cost and because it has been considered an advance endoscopic procedure. 8 This study aimed to demonstrate the possible role of the EUS screening examination in the early detection and surveillance of a fatty pancreas condition based on patients with pancreatic cancer diagnosed through EUS examination.…”

Comparative analysis of patients hospitalized for severe transaminase elevation according to etiology and laboratory findings

“…NSAIDs, antibiotics, and antituberculosis drugs are the most common causes of acute liver injury [5]. Herbal and Dietary Supplements are increasingly used worldwide in recent years and constitute an important part of liver damage.…”

Non-alcoholic fatty pancreas disease – practices for clinicians

“…The growing burden of obesity worldwide has led to a dramatic rise in patients suffering from metabolic syndrome. The excessive adipose tissue in obese individuals is endocrinologically active, leading to a proinflammatory state which generates several complications in target organs (liver, pancreas, heart and vessels) and even an increased risk for certain malignancies [1].…”