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Acute pancreatitis is caused by abnormal activation of digestive enzymes in the pancreas, leading to inflammation and necrosis of pancreatic tissue. It is mainly triggered by gallstones, excessive alcohol consumption, and hypertriglyceridemia. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and elevated blood pancreatic enzyme levels. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, is a syndrome involving inflammation, fibrosis, and loss of acinar and islet cells. It is characterized by pancreatic-type abdominal pain, steatorrhea, pancreatic dysfunction (both exocrine and endocrine insufficiency), and imaging findings of significant pancreatic damage. In severe cases, it can even lead to pancreatic cancer. It can affect individuals of all age groups, but it is more common in middle-aged and older adults and severely impacts quality of life.
Europe and America
Reports show that the annual incidence of acute pancreatitis is 4.9 to 35 cases per 100,000 people. The incidence of pancreatitis in Europe and America remains high, mainly due to Westernized diets, high alcohol consumption, and widespread metabolic diseases such as obesity. The local healthcare levels are relatively high, and diagnostic and treatment methods are well-established, leading to improved survival rates for patients.
Southeast Asia
The incidence of pancreatitis in Southeast Asian countries has gradually increased in recent years, significantly influenced by unhealthy diets, environmental pollution, and limited healthcare conditions. Compared to other Asian countries, alcohol-related pancreatitis is more common in Western countries and Japan. The prevalence of chronic pancreatitis in tropical countries varies widely. In two regions of southern India, the incidence is between 20/100,000 and 125/100,000. Delayed diagnosis and inadequate treatment have led to complicated cases, with a significant increase in chronic pancreatitis cases, and public health management urgently needs to be strengthened.
75%-80% of acute pancreatitis patients have acute edematous pancreatitis, characterized by pancreatic enlargement due to inflammatory edema. 15%-25% of patients have necrotizing pancreatitis, which shows pancreatic parenchyma and/or peripancreatic tissue necrosis.
Most acute pancreatitis patients have mild disease and can recover in 3-5 days without complications or organ failure. However, about 20% of patients develop moderate or severe acute pancreatitis, accompanied by local or systemic complications or organ failure.
The overall mortality rate of acute pancreatitis is less than 5%, with the mortality rate of edematous pancreatitis lower than that of necrotizing pancreatitis (3% vs 17%).
Acute pancreatitis patients may experience recurrent acute pancreatitis or progress to chronic pancreatitis. The incidence of chronic pancreatitis after the first episode and recurrent acute pancreatitis is 10% and 36%, respectively.
As chronic pancreatitis progresses, patients may develop exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (steatorrhea, indigestion) and diabetes due to the destruction of islet cells.
Chronic pancreatitis patients may develop various complications, including pancreatic pseudocysts, biliary or duodenal obstruction, visceral artery pseudoaneurysms, pancreatic ascites and pleural effusion, gastric varices due to splenic vein thrombosis, and pancreatic malignancy.
Avoiding exposure to environmental toxins (such as tobacco and alcohol) is the only measure to prevent the progression of chronic pancreatitis. All other treatments aim to control abdominal pain, indigestion, pancreatic diabetes, or other complications of chronic pancreatitis.
1. Pancreatic Tissue Damage
Pancreatitis causes pancreatic cell necrosis, damaging the pancreatic structure and severely affecting its digestive enzyme and hormone secretion functions.
2. Digestive Dysfunction
Decreased exocrine pancreatic function leads to malabsorption of fats, causing bloating, diarrhea, and malnutrition.
3. Progression to Fibrosis
Chronic and recurrent inflammation gradually leads to pancreatic fibrosis, with continued functional decline that affects the patient's quality of life.
4. Multisystem Complications
Severe cases may present with pancreatic pseudocysts, pancreatic infections, even diabetes, and multiorgan dysfunction, which can be life-threatening.
1. Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy helps promote pancreatic tissue regeneration, regulate immune responses, suppress inflammation and fibrosis, and significantly improve pancreatic function. Stem cell therapy is suitable for moderate to severe acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis.
① Promote pancreatic cell repair
② Regulate immune system balance
③ Reduce chronic inflammation
④ Suppress tissue fibrosis
⑤ Enhance pancreatic secretion capacity
2. Immune Cell Therapy
Immune cell therapy can also be used for chronic pancreatitis, regulating chronic inflammation, reducing fibrosis driving, optimizing the local immune environment, and promoting tissue repair.
1. Medication Therapy
Use of painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and pancreatic enzyme replacement agents to control inflammation and symptoms, alleviate discomfort, and stabilize the condition.
2. Nutritional Support
Adjusting diet and supplementing necessary nutrients to reduce the burden on the pancreas and help recovery.
3. Surgical Treatment
For complications such as gallstones and pseudocysts, minimally invasive or open surgery is used to remove the lesions and prevent further deterioration.
4. Lifestyle Adjustments
Quitting alcohol and smoking, following a healthy diet, and maintaining regular sleep patterns can reduce triggers and lower recurrence risks.
Pancreatitis, as a complex inflammatory disease, can lead to severe pancreatic dysfunction and multiorgan damage if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Experts from the International Life Medical Center point out that combining advanced technologies like stem cell therapy is expected to promote tissue repair and improve patients' quality of life. Early scientific treatment is key to controlling the condition and preventing complications.
