Published online Nov 14, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i42.7219
Revised: October 23, 2013
Accepted: November 2, 2013
Published online: November 14, 2013
Processing time: 147 Days and 18.3 Hours
Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by an inflammatory process of the pancreas, which is replaced by fibrosis and progressive destruction. The three major clinical features of chronic pancreatitis are pain, maldigestion, and diabetes. Chronic pancreatitis has a profound impact on social life and employment patterns. In the current issue, different topics highlight experimental models of chronic pancreatitis and bridge findings from recent research to bedside. Although the disease is still difficult to treat the current papers represent useful guidelines on how to approach chronic pancreatitis in the clinical settings with the major aim to improve the patient’s suffering and quality of life.
Core tip: Chronic pancreatitis has a profound impact on social life and employment patterns. In the current issue of World Journal of Gastroenterology, different topics highlight experimental models of chronic pancreatitis and bridge findings from recent research to bedside.