To describe the etiology, diagnosis, and management of primary complications associated with chronic pancreatitis (CP) to provide quick references for gastroenterologists.
Approach:
Literature Review: Conducted a structured search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases using specific keywords related to chronic pancreatitis and its complications.
Key Findings:
Chronic pancreatitis leads to irreversible structural damage and various complications, including pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, endocrine insufficiency, metabolic bone disease, pain, pancreatic duct stones, obstruction of common bile duct and duodenum, pancreatic pseudocysts, and vascular complications.
The prevalence of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) increases with disease duration and smoking history.
Direct pancreatic function tests are invasive but accurate, while indirect tests like fecal human elastase-1 (FE-1) are preferred for their simplicity and noninvasiveness.
Interpretation:
Active intervention for complications through secondary prevention and standardized management is crucial for improving clinical prognosis in patients with chronic pancreatitis.
Limitations:
The review is a narrative synthesis and does not follow PRISMA guidelines.
Limited sensitivity of FE-1 testing for mild PEI and potential confounding by pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy.
Conclusion:
The review establishes a comprehensive clinical reference system for the primary complications of chronic pancreatitis.
