Burden of bone disease in chronic pancreatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive fibroinflammatory disease primarily caused by a complex interplay of environmental and genetic risk factors. It might result in pancreatic exocrine and endocrine insufficiency, chronic pain, reduced quality of life, and increased mortality. The diagnosis is based on the presence of typical symptoms and multiple morphological manifestations of the pancreas, including pancreatic duct stones and strictures, parenchymal calcifications, and pseudocysts. Management of chronic pancreatitis consists of prevention and treatment of complications, requiring a multidisciplinary approach focusing on lifestyle modifications, exocrine insufficiency, nutritional status, bone health, endocrine insufficiency, pain management, and psychological care. To optimise clinical outcomes, screening for complications and evaluation of treatment efficacy are indicated in all patients with chronic pancreatitis.

Subclinical pancreatic exocrine insufficiency is associated with osteopathy in patients with chronic pancreatitis: Implications for management

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) may develop pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) but data regarding subclinical PEI are scarce. Our objective was to detect subclinical PEI in patients with CP and its functional consequences.

METHODS

We prospectively included patients with CP from April 2018-December 2021. Mild PEI and severe PEI were diagnosed if fecal elastase (FE) was 100-200 μg/g and <100 μg/g stool respectively. Vitamin levels and DEXA scan were done to assess functional consequences of PEI. Presence of subclinical PEI in CP (low FE-1 but without steatorrhea) with consequent osteopathy was the primary outcome.

RESULTS

Of 120 patients with CP, subclinical PEI (low FE-1 but no steatorrhea) was present in 84/120(70%) patients: 6/8(75%) in early CP, 41/53(77%) in definite CP and 37/55(67.2%) in advanced CP. Overall, 72.1% patients had osteopathy including 53(62%) among patients with subclinical PEI. There was no difference in osteopathy between subclinical and severe PEI. Patients with severe PEI had lower vitamin A levels as compared to mild PEI and no PEI patients [1.3 ± 0.5 mg/ml vs. 1.7 ± 0.6 mg/ml vs. 1.8 ± 0.5 mg/ml; p = 0.04]. There was no difference in vitamin D levels. Osteopathy was present in 40/56 (71.4%) in advanced, 26/56 (46.4%) in definite and 2/8 (25%) in early CP patients (p = 0.09). On multivariable analysis, patients with advanced CP had the higher risk of osteopathy (odds ratio 7.6, 95% CI 1.9-29.7).

CONCLUSIONS

Subclinical PEI was present even in early CP with increased risk of osteopathy and fat-soluble vitamin deficiency.

Advances in research of metabolic bone disease secondary to chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressive chronic inflammatory disease that can cause irreversible damage to pancreatic tissue, ultimately leading to pancreatic endocrine and exocrine insufficiency. Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is one of the systemic complications of CP, which includes osteopenia and osteoporosis, characterized by degradation of bone microstructure and an increased risk of fragility fracture. Nearly half of the patients with CP suffer from MBD, which is affected by a number of factors. Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and pancreatic diabetes mellitus, which are also systemic complications of CP, can affect bone mineral density by lowering serum calcium, and increased levels of inflammatory factors in chronic inflammatory states, as well as the use of opioids to alleviate the pain of CP, can disrupt the balance between bone formation and resorption and promote the development of MBD. In addition, known risk factors for osteoporosis, such as smoking, alcohol abuse, aging, and low body mass index, account for a higher proportion of CP cases than in the general population and contribute to the high prevalence of MBD in CP patients. Foreign guidelines recommend that CP patients be regularly screened for fat-soluble vitamin deficiency, tested for bone mineral density, and evaluated for fracture risk, and encourage all CP patients to actively take preventive measures. In this article, we present a review on the research progress of CP-related metabolic bone disease, discussing the prevalence, related risk factors, and prevention and management of MBD, which will provide a reference for clinical workers.

Chronic pancreatitis-associated metabolic bone diseases: epidemiology, mechanisms, and clinical advances

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressive inflammatory disease with an increasing global prevalence. In recent years, a strong association between CP and metabolic bone diseases (MBDs), especially osteoporosis, has been identified, attracting significant attention in the research field. Epidemiological data suggest a rising trend in the incidence of MBDs among CP patients. Notably, recent studies have highlighted a profound interplay between CP and altered nutritional and immune profiles, offering insights into its linkage with MBDs. At the molecular level, CP introduces a series of biochemical disturbances that compromise bone homeostasis. One critical observation is the disrupted metabolism of vitamin D and vitamin K, both essential micronutrients for maintaining bone integrity, in CP patients. In this review, we provide physio-pathological perspectives on the development and mechanisms of CP-related MBDs. We also outline some of the latest therapeutic strategies for treating patients with CP-associated MBDs, including stem cell transplantation, monoclonal antibodies, and probiotic therapy. In summary, CP-associated MBDs represent a rising medical challenge, involving multiple tissues and organs, complex disease mechanisms, and diverse treatment approaches. More in-depth studies are required to understand the complex interplay between CP and MBDs to facilitate the development of more specific and effective therapeutic approaches.