Hereditary Pancreatitis

Hereditary Pancreatitis

What is Hereditary Pancreatitis?

What are symptoms of Hereditary Pancreatitis?

What procedures are used to diagnosis Hereditary Pancreatitis?

What are the causes of Hereditary Pancreatitis?

What treatment options are available for Hereditary Pancreatitis?

What is the prognosis of Hereditary Pancreatitis?

About Hereditary Pancreatitis

Hereditary Pancreatitis is a rare inherited condition characterized by recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis attacks. In about half of these cases the problem progresses to chronic pancreatitis, which is severe scarring of the pancreas. Laboratory tests performed during an attack usually detect high blood levels of amylase and lipase, which are enzymes released from the pancreas. The first attack typically occurs within the first two decades of life, but can begin at any age. In the United States, it is estimated that at least 1,000 individuals are affected with hereditary pancreatitis.

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Symptoms of Hereditary Pancreatitis

Patients with hereditary pancreatitis may have chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, malnutrition, or diabetes.

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Diagnosis of Hereditary Pancreatitis

The diagnosis of hereditary pancreatitis by genetic testing can be a valuable tool. Hereditary pancreatitis is a progressive disease with a high risk of permanent problems.

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Causes, incidence, and risk factors of Hereditary Pancreatitis

Hereditary Pancreatitis is a genetic disorder, which means that it is usually passed from one generation to the next.

The symptoms of Hereditary Pancreatitis are caused by a change to a specific gene. Genes are the packages of information that control how our bodies look and function. A single gene appears to be involved in 60-75% of hereditary pancreatitis families. This gene produces the "cationic trypsinogen" enzyme, which breaks down the proteins present in the foods we eat. (In some research papers cationic trypsinogen is called