Diagnosis and treatment in chronic pancreatitis: an international survey and case vignette study

Recurrent acute pancreatitis: a harbinger for irreversible chronic pancreatitis

Recurrent acute pancreatitis is beginning to be recognized as an intermediary stage in the continuous spectrum between acute and chronic pancreatitis. It is crucial to identify this disease stage and intervene with diagnostic and therapeutic modalities to prevent the painful and irreversible condition of chronic pancreatitis. We review the recent advances in diagnosing and managing this important 'call for action' condition.

Soft self-expandable metal stent to treat painful pancreatic duct strictures secondary to chronic pancreatitis: a prospective multicenter trial

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMSs) may offer a treatment option for pain associated with a dilated pancreatic duct (PD) in chronic pancreatitis (CP), but optimal patient selection and FCSEMS design, efficacy, and safety remain uncertain. We studied an investigational pancreatic FCSEMS for treatment of CP-associated pain.

METHODS

Patients with painful CP, a dominant distal PD stricture, and PD dilation upstream were enrolled in a prospective, multicenter, single-arm trial studying 6-month indwell of a 4- to 6-cm-long soft pancreatic FCSEMS. Primary efficacy and safety endpoints were pain reduction 6 months after FCSEMS indwell (performance goal ≥53%) and PD stenting-related serious adverse events (SAEs), respectively (performance goal <32%). The primary efficacy endpoint was assessed in patients with sufficiently severe and frequent pain at FCSEMS placement as a first stent or in exchange of a plastic stent.

RESULTS

Among 67 patients (mean age, 52.7 ± 12.5 years; mean time since CP diagnosis, 6.4 ± 6.4 years), 34 (50.7%) had plastic stent placement within 90 days of FCSEMS placement, and 46 patients were eligible for the primary efficacy endpoint analysis. Technical success was 97.0% (65/67). The observed primary efficacy (26.1%, 12/46) and safety endpoints (31.3%, 21/67) failed to meet the a priori study hypotheses. Study stent migration occurred in 47.7% of patients (31/65).

CONCLUSIONS

Six-month treatment with an FCSEMS did not lead to an expected degree of pain reduction, and migrations and SAEs were common. Further study is needed to clarify optimal decompressive strategy, FCSEMS design, and patient selection. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT02802020.).

Diagnosis and treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in chronic pancreatitis: An international expert survey and case vignette study

INTRODUCTION

Despite evidence-based guidelines, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Therefore, the aim of this study is to provide insight into the current opinion and clinical decision-making of international pancreatologists regarding the management of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

METHODS

An online survey and case vignette study was sent to experts in chronic pancreatitis and members of various pancreatic associations: EPC, E-AHPBA and DPSG. Experts were selected based on publication record from the past 5 years.

RESULTS

Overall, 252 pancreatologists participated of whom 44% had ≥ 15 years of experience and 35% treated ≥ 50 patients with chronic pancreatitis per year. Screening for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency as part of the diagnostic work-up for chronic pancreatitis is performed by 69% and repeated annually by 21%. About 74% considers nutritional assessment to be part of the standard work-up. Patients are most frequently screened for deficiencies of calcium (47%), iron (42%), vitamin D (61%) and albumin (59%). In case of clinically steatorrhea, 71% prescribes enzyme supplementation. Of all pancreatologists, 40% refers more than half of their patients to a dietician. Despite existing guidelines, 97% supports the need for more specific and tailored instructions regarding the management of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

CONCLUSION

This survey identified a lack of consensus and substantial practice variation among international pancreatologists regarding guidelines pertaining the management of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. These results highlight the need for further adaptation of these guidelines according to current expert opinion and the level of available scientific evidence.

Diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic duct disruption or disconnection: an international expert survey and case vignette study

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic duct disruption or disconnection is a potentially severe complication of necrotizing pancreatitis. With no existing treatment guidelines, it is unclear whether there is any consensus among experts in clinical practice. We evaluated current expert opinion regarding the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic duct disruption and disconnection in an international case vignette study.

METHODS

An online case vignette survey was sent to 110 international expert pancreatologists. Expert selection was based on publications in the last 5 years and/or participation in development of IAP/APA and ESGE guidelines on acute pancreatitis. Consensus was defined as agreement by at least 75% of the experts.

RESULTS

The response rate was 51% (n = 56). Forty-four experts (79%) obtained a MRI/MRCP and 52 experts (93%) measured amylase levels in percutaneous drain fluid to evaluate pancreatic duct integrity. The majority of experts favored endoscopic transluminal drainage for infected (peri)pancreatic necrosis and pancreatic duct disruption (84%, n = 45) or disconnection (88%, n = 43). Consensus was lacking regarding the treatment of patients with persistent percutaneous drain production, and with persistent sterile necrosis.

CONCLUSION

This international survey of experts demonstrates that there are many areas for which no consensus existed, providing clear focus for future investigation.

Fully Covered Self-Expanding Metal Stent vs Multiple Plastic Stents to Treat Benign Biliary Strictures Secondary to Chronic Pancreatitis: A Multicenter Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Benign biliary strictures (BBS) are complications of chronic pancreatitis (CP). Endotherapy using multiple plastic stents (MPS) or a fully covered self-expanding metal stent (FCSEMS) are acceptable treatment options for biliary obstructive symptoms in these patients.

METHODS

Patients with symptomatic CP-associated BBS enrolled in a multicenter randomized noninferiority trial comparing 12-month treatment with MPS vs FCSEMS. Primary outcome was stricture resolution status at 24 months, defined as absence of restenting and 24-month serum alkaline phosphatase not exceeding twice the level at stenting completion. Secondary outcomes included crossover rate, numbers of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCPs) and stents, and stent- or procedure-related serious adverse events.

RESULTS

Eighty-four patients were randomized to MPS and 80 to FCSEMS. Baseline technical success was 97.6% for MPS and 98.6% for FCSEMS. Eleven patients crossed over from MPS to FCSEMS, and 10 from FCSEMS to MPS. For MPS vs FCSEMS, respectively, stricture resolution status at 24 months was 77.1% (54/70) vs 75.8% (47/62) (P = .008 for noninferiority intention-to-treat analysis), mean number of ERCPs was 3.9 ± 1.3 vs 2.6 ± 1.3 (P < .001, intention-to-treat), and mean number of stents placed was 7.0 ± 4.4 vs 1.3 ± .6 (P < .001, as-treated). Serious adverse events occurred in 16 (19.0%) MPS and 19 (23.8%) FCSEMS patients (P = .568), including cholangitis/fever/jaundice (9 vs 7 patients respectively), abdominal pain (5 vs 5), cholecystitis (1 vs 3) and post-ERCP pancreatitis (0 vs 2). No stent- or procedure-related deaths occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Endotherapy of CP-associated BBS has similar efficacy and safety for 12-month treatment using MPS compared with a single FCSEMS, with FCSEMS requiring fewer ERCPs over 2 years. (ClinicalTrials.gov, Number: NCT01543256.).

Pancreas-preserving duodenal resections vs pancreatoduodenectomy for groove pancreatitis. Should we revisit treatment algorithm for groove pancreatitis?

BACKGROUND

The management of cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall (CDDW), or groove pancreatitis (GP), remains controversial. Although pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) is considered the most suitable operation for CDDW, pancreas-preserving duodenal resection (PPDR) has also been suggested as an alternative for the pure form of GP (isolated CDDW). There are no studies comparing PD and PPDR for this disease.

AIM

To compare the safety, efficacy, and short- and long-term results of PD and PPDR in patients with CDDW.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the clinical, radiologic, pathologic, and intra- and postoperative data of 84 patients with CDDW (2004-2020) and a comparison of the safety and efficacy of PD and PPDR.

RESULTS

Symptoms included abdominal pain (100%), weight loss (76%), vomiting (30%) and jaundice (18%) and data from computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and endoUS led to the correct preoperative diagnosis in 98.8% of cases. Twelve patients were treated conservatively with pancreaticoenterostomy (n = 8), duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (n = 6), PD (n = 44) and PPDR (n = 15) without mortality. Weight gain was significantly higher after PD and PPDR and complete pain control was achieved significantly more often after PPDR (93%) and PD (84%) compared to the other treatment modalities (18%). New onset diabetes mellitus and severe exocrine insufficiency occurred after PD (31% and 14%), but not after PPDR.

CONCLUSION

PPDR has similar safety and better efficacy than PD in patients with CDDW and may be the optimal procedure for the isolated form of CDDW. The pure form of GP is a duodenal disease and PD may be an overtreatment for this disease. Early detection of CDDW provides an opportunity for pancreas-preserving surgery.

Suboptimal care for chronic pancreatitis patients revealed by moderate to low adherence to the United European Gastroenterology evidence-based guidelines (HaPanEU): A Netherlands nationwide analysis

Background and objective

The 2016, United European Gastroenterology evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and therapy of chronic pancreatitis (HaPanEU) provided evidence-based recommendations for the management of chronic pancreatitis and allowed for the objective evaluation of the quality of care in several domains of disease management through assessment of guideline adherence. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the current level and the variety of care for chronic pancreatitis patients in the Netherlands using the HaPanEU guidelines as a reference standard. The majority of these patients were diagnosed before the publication of these guidelines. Therefore, in most patients, the results of the present study with respect to those recommendations regarding the diagnostic process of chronic pancreatitis represent guideline correspondence and not adherence.

Methods

A subgroup of patients from the Dutch nationwide chronic pancreatitis registry (CARE) was included in a retrospective cross-sectional observational cohort study. A total of 39 recommendations concerning the non-invasive management of chronic pancreatitis were appointed as quality indicators (QIs). Per patient, the number of relevant QIs was determined and guideline adherence was assessed. Data were analyzed to identify factors associated with guideline adherence.

Results

Overall, 97 patients with chronic pancreatitis from 11 hospitals were included. Per patient, a mean number of 26 relevant QIs was applicable, with an average adherence rate of 53%. In 45% of the patients, guideline adherence was less than 50%. The majority of suboptimal managed QIs concerned the management of chronic pancreatitis complications. Guideline adherence was not associated with hospital type, sex, age or etiology of pancreatitis.

Conclusion

In the Netherlands, adherence to the HaPanEU recommendations for the management of chronic pancreatitis is moderate to low for all non-invasive domains, which may indicate suboptimal care for these patients. Closer guideline adherence could improve the level of care and the clinical outcomes of these patients. A nationwide approach to increase awareness of the key guideline recommendations among clinicians and patients is needed.

Systematic approach for assessment of imaging features in chronic pancreatitis: a feasibility and validation study from the Scandinavian Baltic Pancreatic Club (SBPC) database

PURPOSE

There is an unmet need for new systems with quantitative pancreatic imaging assessments to support better diagnosis and understand development of chronic pancreatitis (CP). The aims were to present such an approach for assessment of imaging features in CP, to apply this system in a multi-center cohort of CP patients (feasibility study), and to report inter-reader agreement between expert radiologists (validation study).

METHODS

The feasibility study included pancreatic computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from 496 patients with definitive CP in the Scandinavian Baltic Pancreatic Club (SBPC) database. Images were assessed according to the new SBPC imaging system (quantitative assessments of ductal and parenchymal features). Inter-reader agreement of reported imaging parameters was investigated for 80 CT and 80 MRI examinations by two expert radiologists.

RESULTS

Reporting of the imaging features into the imaging system was deemed feasible for > 80% of CT and > 90% of MRI examinations. Quantitative assessments of main pancreatic duct diameters, presence/number/diameter of calcifications, and gland diameters had high levels of inter-reader agreement with κ-values of 0.75-0.87 and intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.74-0.97. The more subjective assessments, e.g., irregular main pancreatic duct and dilated side-ducts, had poor to moderate agreement with κ-values of 0.03-0.44.

CONCLUSION

The presented system provides a feasible mean for systematic assessment of CP imaging features. Imaging parameters based on quantitative assessment, as opposed to subjective assessments, have better reproducibility and should be preferred in the development of new grading systems for understanding pathophysiology and disease progression in CP.

The Role of Endoscopic and Surgical Treatment in Chronic Pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is a long-term illness leading to hospital admissions and readmission. This disease is often caused by heavy alcohol consumption and smoking. Patients with chronic pancreatitis suffer from acute or chronic pain episodes, recurrent pancreatitis, and complications, such as pseudocysts, biliary duct strictures, and pancreatic duct fistulas. Pancreatic duct strictures and stones may increase intraductal pressure and cause pain. Endoscopic therapy is aiming at decompressing the pressure and relieving the pain, most commonly with pancreatic duct stents and pancreatic duct stone retrieval. Early surgery is another option to treat the pain. In addition, endotherapy has been successful in treating complications related to chronic pancreatitis. The therapy should be individually chosen in a multidisciplinary meeting. Endoscopic therapy and surgery as treatment options for chronic pancreatitis are discussed in this review.

Effect of Early Surgery vs Endoscopy-First Approach on Pain in Patients With Chronic Pancreatitis: The ESCAPE Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

For patients with painful chronic pancreatitis, surgical treatment is postponed until medical and endoscopic treatment have failed. Observational studies have suggested that earlier surgery could mitigate disease progression, providing better pain control and preserving pancreatic function.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether early surgery is more effective than the endoscopy-first approach in terms of clinical outcomes.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

The ESCAPE trial was an unblinded, multicenter, randomized clinical superiority trial involving 30 Dutch hospitals participating in the Dutch Pancreatitis Study Group. From April 2011 until September 2016, a total of 88 patients with chronic pancreatitis, a dilated main pancreatic duct, and who only recently started using prescribed opioids for severe pain (strong opioids for ≤2 months or weak opioids for ≤6 months) were included. The 18-month follow-up period ended in March 2018.

INTERVENTIONS

There were 44 patients randomized to the early surgery group who underwent pancreatic drainage surgery within 6 weeks after randomization and 44 patients randomized to the endoscopy-first approach group who underwent medical treatment, endoscopy including lithotripsy if needed, and surgery if needed.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was pain, measured on the Izbicki pain score and integrated over 18 months (range, 0-100 [increasing score indicates more pain severity]). Secondary outcomes were pain relief at the end of follow-up; number of interventions, complications, hospital admissions; pancreatic function; quality of life (measured on the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey [SF-36]); and mortality.

RESULTS

Among 88 patients who were randomized (mean age, 52 years; 21 (24%) women), 85 (97%) completed the trial. During 18 months of follow-up, patients in the early surgery group had a lower Izbicki pain score than patients in the group randomized to receive the endoscopy-first approach group (37 vs 49; between-group difference, -12 points [95% CI, -22 to -2]; P = .02). Complete or partial pain relief at end of follow-up was achieved in 23 of 40 patients (58%) in the early surgery vs 16 of 41 (39%)in the endoscopy-first approach group (P = .10). The total number of interventions was lower in the early surgery group (median, 1 vs 3; P < .001). Treatment complications (27% vs 25%), mortality (0% vs 0%), hospital admissions, pancreatic function, and quality of life were not significantly different between early surgery and the endoscopy-first approach.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among patients with chronic pancreatitis, early surgery compared with an endoscopy-first approach resulted in lower pain scores when integrated over 18 months. However, further research is needed to assess persistence of differences over time and to replicate the study findings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN Identifier: ISRCTN45877994.

Clube Português do Pâncreas Recommendations for Chronic Pancreatitis: Medical, Endoscopic, and Surgical Treatment (Part II)

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a complex disease that should be treated by experienced teams of gastroenterologists, radiologists, surgeons, and nutritionists in a multidisciplinary environment. Medical treatment includes lifestyle modification, nutrition, exocrine and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency correction, and pain management. Up to 60% of patients will ultimately require some type of endoscopic or surgical intervention for treatment. However, regardless of the modality, they are often ineffective unless smoking and alcohol cessation is achieved. Surgery retains a major role in the treatment of CP patients with intractable chronic pain or suspected pancreatic mass. For other complications like biliary or gastroduodenal obstruction, pseudocyst drainage can be performed endoscopically. The recommendations for CP were developed by Clube Português do Pâncreas (CPP), based on literature review to answer predefined topics, subsequently discussed and approved by all members of CPP. Recommendations are separated in two parts: "chronic pancreatitis etiology, natural history, and diagnosis," and "chronic pancreatitis medical, endoscopic, and surgical treatment." This abstract pertains to part II.

Does Etiology of Pancreatitis Matter? Differences in Outcomes Among Patients With Post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography, Acute Biliary, and Alcoholic Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

We compared outcomes of acute alcoholic pancreatitis (AAP), acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP), and post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP).

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at a tertiary care center between June 2007 and June 2012.

RESULTS

A total of 300 (68%) patients were diagnosed with AAP, 88 (20%) with ABP, and 55 (12%) with PEP. Longer length of hospital stay (LOHS) was more common in ABP (23%) as compared with AAP (10%) and PEP (7%, P = 0.025). Pseudocyst (P = 0.048), organ failure (OF) (P = 0.01), need for interventions (P ≤ 0.001), and mortality (P = 0.002) occurred more in ABP as compared with other groups. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome was associated with LOHS of more than 10 days (P = 0.01) and multi-OF (P = 0.05). Chronic pancreatitis was associated more with pseudocyst (P < 0.001) and mortality (P = 0.03). Serum urea nitrogen of greater than 25 g/dL predicted LOHS of more than 10 days (P = 0.02), OF (P < 0.001), multi-OF (P < 0.001), and persistent OF (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Acute biliary pancreatitis is a more severe disease compared with PEP and AAP. Chronic pancreatitis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and high serum urea nitrogen are important predictors of morbidity.