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World J Gastroenterol. Feb 21, 2008; 14(7): 1011-1015
Published online Feb 21, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.1011
Role of genetic disorders in acute recurrent pancreatitis
Volker Keim
Volker Keim, Medizinische Klinik II, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Deutschland, Germany
Correspondence to: Volker Keim, MD, Professor, Medizinische Klinik II, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, D-04103 Leipzig, Deutschland, Germany. keimv@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Telephone: +49-341-9712233
Fax: +49-341-9712239
Received: August 31, 2007
Revised: January 3, 2008
Published online: February 21, 2008
Abstract

There was remarkable progress in the understanding of the role genetic risk factors in chronic pancreatitis. These factors seem to be much more important than thought in the past. The rare autosomal-dominant mutations N29I and R122H of PRSS1 (cationic trypsinogen) as well as the variant N34S of SPINK1 (pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor) are associated to a disease onset in childhood or youth. Compared to chronic alcoholic pancreatitis the progression is slow so that for a long time only signs of acute-recurrent pancreatitis are found. Only at later time points (more than 10-15 years) there is evidence for chronic pancreatitis in the majority of patients. Acute recurrent pancreatitis may therefore be regarded as a transition state until definite signs of chronic pancreatitis are detectable.

Keywords: Genetic disorders; Acute recurrent pancreatitis