Relationship between Gout and Diabetes Mellitus after Acute Pancreatitis: A Nationwide Cohort Study

EUS-FNA diagnosis of pancreatic tophaceous gout: Two rare cases

We report two patients with pancreatic tophaceous gout diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) of presumed cystic mass lesions. The first case involved a patient who had a recent episode of acute pancreatitis 6 months prior, with subsequent imaging concerning for a pseudocyst or mass lesion. The second case involved a patient with epigastric pain associated with a pancreatic head cystic mass and an erroneous original diagnosis of a mucinous pancreatic neoplasm on EUS-FNA. Diff-Quik stained direct smears on fresh material obtained from EUS-FNA of the lesions showed chalky debris with needle shaped negatively birefringent crystals consistent with gout. For the first case, the chalky material was not present on the H&E stained paraffin embedded formalin fixed cellblock slides. The importance of inclusion of cytologic specimen preparations to examine monosodium urate crystals is emphasized.

Epidemiology of post-pancreatitis diabetes mellitus: insights from the COSMOS program

INTRODUCTION

Post-pancreatitis diabetes mellitus (PPDM) has long been recognized as one of the most challenging sub-types of diabetes to manage. Part of the problem is that the earlier literature on epidemiology of PPDM was confusing because of the presence of selection bias.

AREAS COVERED

A concerted series of population-based nationwide studies on PPDM from New Zealand has recently been published as part of the COSMOS (Clinical and epidemiOlogical inveStigations in Metabolism, nutritiOn, and pancreatic diseaseS) program and is the main focus of the present article.

EXPERT OPINION

The foundational knowledge on epidemiology of PPDM generated by the COSMOS program is generalizable to the population at large. It brings the field closer to a comprehensive narrative of risk factors, burden, mortality, and morbidity outcomes of PPDM. In producing new knowledge on epidemiology of PPDM, it will be important to adhere to the guidelines on identification of PPDM in population-based datasets advanced in the present article.

Risk factors for diabetes mellitus after acute pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Within 5 years of having acute pancreatitis (AP), approximately 20% of patients develop diabetes mellitus (DM), which later increases to approximately 40%. Some studies suggest that the prevalence of prediabetes (PD) and/or DM can grow as high as 59% over time. However, information on risk factors is limited. We aimed to identify risk factors for developing PD or DM following AP.

Methods

We systematically searched three databases up to 4 September 2023 extracting direct, within-study comparisons of risk factors on the rate of new-onset PD and DM in AP patients. When PD and DM event rates could not be separated, we reported results for this composite outcome as PD/DM. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model to calculate pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Of the 61 studies identified, 50 were included in the meta-analysis, covering 76,797 participants. The studies reported on 79 risk factors, and meta-analysis was feasible for 34 risk factor and outcome pairs. The odds of developing PD/DM was significantly higher after severe and moderately severe AP (OR: 4.32; CI: 1.76-10.60) than mild AP. Hypertriglyceridemic AP etiology (OR: 3.27; CI: 0.17-63.91) and pancreatic necrosis (OR: 5.53; CI: 1.59-19.21) were associated with a higher risk of developing PD/DM. Alcoholic AP etiology (OR: 1.82; CI: 1.09-3.04), organ failure (OR: 3.19; CI: 0.55-18.64), recurrent AP (OR: 1.89; CI: 0.95-3.77), obesity (OR: 1.85; CI: 1.43-2.38), chronic kidney disease (OR: 2.10; CI: 1.85-2.38), liver cirrhosis (OR: 2.48; CI: 0.18-34.25), and dyslipidemia (OR: 1.82; CI: 0.68-4.84) were associated with a higher risk of developing DM.

Discussion

Severe and moderately severe AP, alcoholic and hypertriglyceridemic etiologies, pancreatic necrosis, organ failure, recurrent acute pancreatitis and comorbidities of obesity, chronic kidney disease liver disease, and dyslipidemia are associated with a higher risk of developing PD or DM.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42021281983.

Metabolic Sequelae: The Pancreatitis Zeitgeist of the 21st Century

Holistic management of pancreatitis means that gastroenterologists in the 21st Century should think beyond improving in-hospital outcomes of pancreatitis alone. In particular, there is considerable room for optimizing the management of new-onset diabetes, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and other metabolic sequelae of pancreatitis. The present article provides state-of-the-art information on classification, terminology, and burden of the common sequelae of pancreatitis. A high-risk group of patients with pancreatitis is identified, which is positioned to benefit the most from the metabolic sequelae surveillance program introduced in this article. The program involves continuous follow-up after pancreatitis diagnosis, with the focus on early identification of new-onset diabetes after pancreatitis and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. The metabolic sequelae surveillance program is scalable and has the potential to reduce the burden of pancreatitis through tertiary prevention in the decades to come.

Prevalence of Chronic Metabolic Comorbidities in Acute Pancreatitis and Its Impact on Early Gastrointestinal Symptoms during Hospitalization: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background

The prevalence of chronic comorbidities is increasing worldwide, and this has been paralleled by a growing interest in how these comorbidities affect patients with acute pancreatitis. The aim was to investigate the associations between pre-existing diabetes mellitus, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and gastrointestinal symptoms during the early course of acute pancreatitis.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study of patients with a primary diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Study groups were formed based on the presence of metabolic comorbidities (pre-existing diabetes mellitus, obesity, and metabolic syndrome). Patient-reported outcomes (nausea, bloating, and abdominal pain) were collected prospectively every 24 h (including weekends and public holidays) over the first 72 h of hospitalization.

Results

A total of 183 consecutive patients were enrolled. Of them, 111 (61%) had at least one major metabolic comorbidity. Patients with pre-existing diabetes mellitus and those with metabolic syndrome had worse nausea at 49-72 h of hospitalization (p = 0.017 and p = 0.012, respectively), but not at other time points. Bloating and abdominal pain did not differ between the study groupings throughout the study period. The studied patient-reported outcomes did not differ significantly between acute pancreatitis patients with and without obesity at any point in time.

Conclusion

More than 3 out of 5 patients hospitalized for acute pancreatitis have at least one major chronic metabolic comorbidity. The presence of metabolic comorbidities does not considerably and consistently affect early gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Distinguishing diabetes secondary to pancreatic diseases from type 2 diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Diabetes secondary to pancreatic diseases (i.e., acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer) is increasingly studied, but remains challenging to distinguish from type 2 diabetes (T2DM). We review the clinical significance and potential biomarkers that may help differentiate these types of diabetes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies have identified several complications (including nonvascular) that occur more frequently in patients with diabetes secondary to acute and chronic pancreatitis than T2DM, and biomarkers to differentiate these types of diabetes. There have been advances that may enable the enrichment of a population of adults with new onset diabetes to potentially screen for occult pancreatic cancer, but efforts are needed to identify and validate promising diagnostic biomarkers.

SUMMARY

High-quality studies are needed to more precisely understand the risk factors and natural course of diabetes secondary to pancreatic diseases. Mechanistic and interventional studies are awaited to provide insights that will distinguish diabetes secondary to pancreatic diseases and refine the management of hyperglycemia in this patient population.

Association between Habitual Dietary Iron Intake and Glucose Metabolism in Individuals after Acute Pancreatitis

Dietary intake of iron is known to be associated with impaired glucose metabolism. However, its involvement in derangements of glucose metabolism after acute pancreatitis (AP) is not completely understood. The aim was to investigate the association between dietary iron intake and markers of glucose metabolism in individuals after an attack of AP. Fasting blood samples were collected to analyse markers of glucose metabolism (fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)). The EPIC-Norfolk food frequency questionnaire was used to determine the habitual intake of dietary iron (total, haem, and non-haem). Multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted and six statistical models were built to adjust for covariates. A total of 109 individuals after AP were studied in a cross-sectional fashion. Total iron (β (95% confidence interval) = -0.19 (-0.35, -0.05); p = 0.01 in the most adjusted model) and non-haem iron (β (95% confidence interval) = -0.19 (-0.33, -0.04); p = 0.03 in the most adjusted model) were significantly associated with FPG, consistently in all adjusted model. Total iron and non-haem iron did not have consistent significant associations with HbA1c. Dietary haem iron intake was not associated with either FPG or HbA1c. Habitual intake of dietary iron is inversely associated with FPG in individuals after an attack of AP and may be involved in the pathogenesis of new-onset diabetes after pancreatitis. Prospective longitudinal studies are now warranted to unveil the specific mechanism underlying the involvement of dietary iron.

Postpancreatitis Diabetes Confers Higher Risk for Pancreatic Cancer Than Type 2 Diabetes: Results From a Nationwide Cancer Registry

OBJECTIVE

Pancreatitis and diabetes are established risk factors for pancreatic cancer. However, to date, studies have investigated only the risk associated with either of them alone. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pancreatitis and diabetes combined, as well as their temporal relationship, on the risk of pancreatic cancer.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Nationwide cancer registry was linked to hospital discharge and mortality data from 1998 to 2015 in New Zealand. Incidence of primary pancreatic cancer in the four study groups (type 2 diabetes [T2D] alone, pancreatitis alone, T2D followed by pancreatitis, and postpancreatitis diabetes mellitus [PPDM]) was identified. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were conducted, with T2D as the reference group. A head-to-head comparison between the T2D followed by pancreatitis and PPDM groups was also performed.

RESULTS

Among 139,843 individuals (735,541 person-years), 913 (0.7%) were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The proportion of pancreatic cancer was 3.1%, 2.3%, 2.0%, and 0.6% in individuals with PPDM, T2D followed by pancreatitis, pancreatitis alone, and T2D alone, respectively. PPDM (hazard ratio [HR] 6.94; 95% CI 4.09-11.77) and T2D followed by pancreatitis (HR 5.35; 95% CI 3.52-8.14) were associated with significantly higher risks of pancreatic cancer compared with T2D alone. In the head-to-head comparison, PPDM was associated with a higher risk of pancreatic cancer compared with T2D followed by pancreatitis (HR 2.35; 95% CI 1.12-4.93).

CONCLUSIONS

Pancreatitis significantly increases the risk of pancreatic cancer in individuals with diabetes. In particular, PPDM poses the highest risk for pancreatic cancer.

Reduced Skeletal Muscle Volume and Increased Skeletal Muscle Fat Deposition Characterize Diabetes in Individuals after Pancreatitis: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Background: Skeletal muscle has been implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes but it has never been investigated in diabetes after pancreatitis. The aim was to investigate the relationship between psoas muscle volume (PMV) and diabetes in individuals after pancreatitis, as well as its associations with ectopic fat phenotypes and insulin traits. Methods: Individuals after an attack of pancreatitis and healthy individuals were studied in a cross-sectional fashion. All participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging, based on which PMV, skeletal muscle fat deposition (SMFD), as well as liver and intra-pancreatic fat depositions were derived. Fasting and postprandial blood samples were collected to calculate indices of insulin sensitivity and secretion. Linear regression analyses were conducted, adjusting for possible confounders (age, sex, body composition, comorbidities, use of insulin, and others). Results: A total of 153 participants were studied. PMV was significantly decreased in the diabetes group compared with healthy controls (β = −30.0, p = 0.034 in the most adjusted model). SMFD was significantly inversely associated with PMV (β = −3.1, p < 0.001 in the most adjusted model). The Matsuda index of insulin sensitivity was significantly directly associated with PMV (β = 1.6, p = 0.010 in the most adjusted model). Conclusions: Diabetes in individuals after pancreatitis is characterized by reduced PMV. Reduced PMV is associated with increased SMFD and decreased insulin sensitivity in individuals after pancreatitis.

Gout and the risk of epilepsy: A population-based cohort study

Gout is a chronic disease related to uric acid metabolism. It involves crystals of uric acid accumulating in the joints, causing joint pain and releasing cytokines that trigger inflammation. Inflammation is a key component in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Thus, we conducted a cohort study to investigate if epilepsy is associated with gout and determine the risk of epilepsy in patients with gout.The gout cohort was obtained from the Registry of Catastrophic Illnesses Patient Database (RCIPD). We identified 104,238 patients who were aged 20 years or more and newly diagnosed with gout between 2000 and 2011 and 3 outpatient visits or history of gout-specific hospitalization between 2000 and 2011. Patients without gout were frequency matched with the gout cohort at a 2:1 ratio according to age, sex, comorbidities, and year of gout diagnosis.The gout cohort showed a 1.27-fold higher overall crude hazard ratio (HR) for epilepsy compared with the control cohort. After we adjusted the analyses by age, sex, and comorbidities the gout patients displayed an increased risk of epilepsy compared with the control group (adjusted HR = 1.25, 95% confidence interval = 1.15-1.36).This study revealed a significantly higher risk of epilepsy in patients with gout. It provides further evidence for the debate around the effect of gout on brain health.