Causes of Pancreatitis

Overview | Causes | Genetics | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Auto Islet Transplants | Diet | Prognosis | FAQ

Pancreatitis has a range of possible causes, including:

  • Gallstones
  • Alcohol use
  • Structural problems of the pancreatic and bile ducts
  • Some medications like estrogen supplements and some diuretics
  • Severe viral or bacterial infection
  • Injury to the abdomen
  • Elevated triglyceride levels, called hyperlipidemia
  • Elevated calcium blood levels, called hypercalcemia
  • Genetic causes such as gastric fibrosis

Causes of Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is most commonly caused by gallstones or heavy alcohol consumption. Other causes may include use of certain medications (such as immunosuppressants, estrogens, thiazide diuretics, and azathioprine), lipid (triglyceride) disorders, infections, surgery, or trauma to the abdomen from an accident or injury. Acute pancreatitis is considered idiopathic (cause is unknown) in 10 to 15% of patients.

Causes of Chronic Pancreatitis

In more than half of patients, chronic pancreatitis is caused by long-term abuse of alcohol, which leads to damage and scarring of the pancreas. Other people may develop chronic pancreatitis as a result of hereditary causes, gallstones (which block the pancreatic duct outlet), autoimmune disease such as lupus, or high triglyceride levels. The cause of chronic pancreatitis cannot be identified in about 25 -30% of patients. Evidence suggests that some cases of unidentified chronic pancreatitis may be associated with atypical mutations of cystic fibrosis genes.

Autoimmune Pancreatitis

In approximately 5-6% of patients with chronic pancreatitis, the disease is caused by autoimmune inflammation (in which the immune system attacks the pancreas)¹. Symptoms may be mild, but patients with autoimmune pancreatitits (AIP) tend to show elevated levels of immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) and a high rate of pancreatic stone formation. Other indicators of autoimmune pancreatitis include narrowing of the main pancreatic duct, scarring of the pancreatic tissue, and infiltration with inflammatory cells. AIP can occur by itself or in association with other autoimmune diseases such as primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), primary biliary cirrhosis, retroperitoneal fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, and Sjögren's syndrome.

Viral Pancreatitis

In rare cases, pancreatitis may be caused by viral infections such as mumps, coxsackie B, mycoplasma pneumonia, and campylobacter.

Parasitic Pancreatitis

A more common problem in developing countries than in the U.S., intestinal parasites can lead to acute pancreatitis and other pancreatic diseases.

Next Steps

If you or someone you care for is dealing with pancreatitis, the Pancreas Center is here for you. Whether you need a diagnosis, treatment, or a second opinion, we have a dedicated Pancreatitis Program ready to help. 

Call us at (212) 305-4795 or use our online form to get in touch today.

To keep learning about pancreatitis:

Overview | Causes | Genetics | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Auto Islet Transplants | Diet | Prognosis | FAQ

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