Pain in chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer

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.

Surgical Trends in Chronic Pancreatitis From 2014 to 2021

OBJECTIVES

We analyzed annual surgical trends for benign chronic pancreatitis (CP), studying specifically mortality, morbidity, and pancreatic fistula rates. We also aimed to identify predictors of pancreatic fistula formation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For this analysis, we used data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program from 2014 to 2021. The study included patients who underwent surgery for benign CP. Data collected included patient demographics, preoperative variables, and postoperative outcomes. Data were analyzed with univariate and multivariate analyses, with significance defined as P  ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS

Over the study period, the number of pancreatic surgical procedures increased by 49.3%, although surgery specifically for CP declined by 31.7%. The rate of pancreatic fistula formation decreased 44.9%, and mortality decreased 31.9%. Significant predictors of a pancreatic fistula included no diabetes, preoperative sepsis, soft texture of the pancreatic gland, and greater patient weight.

CONCLUSION

Surgery for benign CP decreased substantially despite the established efficacy of surgical intervention for long-term pain management. The concurrent decline in mortality and rates of pancreatic fistula formation suggest advances over the study years in surgical and postoperative care.

Next-Generation Sequencing: An Advanced Diagnostic Tool for Detection of Pancreatic Disease/Disorder

The pancreas is involved in digestion and glucose regulation in the human body. Given the recognized link between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, addressing pancreatic disorders and pancreatic cancer is particularly challenging. This review aims to highlight the limitations of traditional methods in diagnosing pancreatic disorders and cancer and explore several next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches as a promising alternative. There are distinct clinical symptoms that are shared by a number of clinical phenotypes of pancreatic illness induced by particular genetic mutations. Traditional diagnostic methods encompass computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, contrast-enhanced Doppler ultrasound, endoscopic ultrasound, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, transabdominal ultrasound, laparoscopy, and positron emission tomography have a prognostic ability of only 5% or less and a 5-year survival rate. Genetic sequencing can be employed as an alternative to conventional diagnostic techniques. Sanger sequencing and NGS are currently largely operated genome analysis, with no exception for pancreatic disease diagnosis. The NGS methods can sequence millions to billions of short DNA fragments, enabling enormous sample screening in a short amount of time with low-abundance detection, like in 0.1%-1% mutation prevalence declining approximate cost. Whole-genome sequencing, whole-exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and single-cell NGS are a few NGS methods utilized to diagnose pancreatic disease. For both research and clinical applications, the NGS techniques can provide a precise diagnosis of pancreatic disorders in a short amount of time at a reasonable expenditure.

Pain in chronic pancreatitis: What can we do today?

The aim of this study is to illustrate the complexity of pain management in chronic pancreatitis (CP). In this context, pain represents the most common and debilitating symptom, and it deeply affects patient's quality of life. Multiple rating scales (unidimensional, bidimensional and multidimensional) have been proposed to quantify CP pain. However, it represents the result of complex mechanisms, involving genetic, neuropathic and neurogenic factors. Considering all these aspects, the treatment should be discussed in a multidisciplinary setting and it should be approached in a stepwise manner. First, a lifestyle change is recommended and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs represent the gold standard among medical treatments for CP patients. The second step, after medical approach, is endoscopic therapy, especially for complicated CP. In case of failure, tailored surgery represents the third step and decompressive or resection procedures can be chosen. In conclusion, CP pain's management is challenging considering all these complex aspects and the lack of international protocols.

Endoscopic interventions in pancreatic strictures and stones-A structured approach

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is an irreversible disease of varied etiology characterized by destruction of pancreatic tissue and loss of both exocrine and endocrine function. Pain is the dominant and most common presenting symptom. The common cause for pain in CP is ductal hypertension due to obstruction of the flow of pancreatic juice in the main pancreatic duct either due to stones or stricture or a combination of both. With advances in technology and techniques, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP) and stenting should be the first line of therapy for strictures of the main pancreatic duct (MPD). Small calculi in the MPD can be extracted by ERCP and balloon trawl. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) remains the standard of care for large pancreatic calculi and aims to fragment the stones 3 mm or less that can easily be extracted by a subsequent ERCP. Single operator pancreatoscopy with intraductal lithotripsy is a technique in evolution and can be tried when ESWL is not available or is unsuccessful in producing stone fragmentation.

Non-pharmacological pain palliation methods in chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a condition characterized by persistent and often severe pain resulting from the inflammatory disease of the pancreas. While pharmacological treatments play a significant role in palliative pain management, some patients require non-pharmacological methods. This review article focuses on non-pharmacological approaches used to alleviate pain in CP. The article examines non-pharmacological palliation options, including surgery, endoscopic approaches, neurostimulation techniques, acupuncture, and other alternative medicine methods. The effectiveness of each method is evaluated, taking into consideration patient compliance and side effects. Additionally, this article emphasizes the importance of personalized pain management in CP and underscores the need for a multidisciplinary approach. It aims to summarize the existing knowledge on the use of non-pharmacological palliation methods to improve the quality of life for patients with CP.

Focal pancreatic ductal change induced by 10-Fr S-type plastic stent in chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Stent-induced ductal change (SIDC) is a complication of endoscopic pancreatic stenting (EPS) in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP). However, the evaluation of SIDC associated with S-type pancreatic plastic stent (PS) and large-caliber PS, such as 10 Fr, is limited. This study aimed to analyze the SIDC of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) associated with 10-Fr S-type PS in patients with CP.

METHODS

Between January 2008 and December 2021, 132 patients with CP in whom a 10-Fr S-type PS had been installed by EPS were retrospectively reviewed. The SIDC incidence rate was examined, and the clinical features of patients with and without SIDC were investigated, including the outcomes for detected SIDC.

RESULTS

Stent-induced ductal change during EPS was confirmed in 41 patients (31.1%) of 132 patients at a site coincident with the PS tip or distal flap in the MPD. All patients were asymptomatic during the development of SIDC. Morphological changes in the MPD were detected as elevated (75.6%) or bearing stricture changes (24.4%). A total of 90.2% of SIDC developed after the first 10-Fr PS installation. No significant differences were noted between the patients with and without SIDC. The outcomes of continued PS installment for SIDC showed persistence and secondary change.

CONCLUSIONS

Stent-induced ductal change-associated 10-Fr PS installation was performed in just under one-third of the patients, indicating a substantial incidence rate and a possible development of SIDC from early stages onwards. More emphasis should be placed on SIDC as the complication.

Intraductal pressure in experimental models of acute and chronic pancreatitis in mice

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Pancreatic intraductal pressure is related to the development of pancreatitis, including post-ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) pancreatitis. In this study, we investigate pancreatic intraductal pressure in various mouse models of acute and chronic pancreatitis.

METHODS

Post-ERCP pancreatitis was induced by retrograde infusion of normal saline or radiocontrast at the constant rate of 10 or 20 μL/min. Obstructive pancreatitis was induced by ligation of the pancreatic duct followed by a single injection of caerulein and the changes of intraductal pressure were recorded in day 3 for obstructive acute pancreatitis and day 14 for obstructive chronic pancreatitis. Non-obstructive pancreatitis was induced by repetitive intraperitoneal injections of caerulein. The changes of intraductal pressure were recorded right after the last caerulein injection for non-obstructive acute pancreatitis and after the completion of 4-week caerulein injections for non-obstructive chronic pancreatitis.

RESULTS

Elevated pancreatic intraductal pressure was observed in both normal saline and radiocontrast infusion groups and was furtherly indicated that was positively correlated with the viscosity of solution but not genders. In the models of obstructive pancreatitis, a rise in intraductal pressure was observed in both acute and chronic pancreatitis; whereas in the models of non-obstructive pancreatitis, a rise in intraductal pressure was only observed in chronic, but not acute pancreatitis.

CONCLUSIONS

During ERCP, the elevations in pancreatic intraductal pressure are induced by increasing rate or viscous solution of infusion. During different forms of experimental acute and chronic pancreatitis, obstructive or non-obstructive etiologies of pancreatitis also induces the elevations in pancreatic intraductal pressure.

A meta-analysis of the long-term outcomes following surgery or endoscopic therapy for chronic pancreatitis

Purpose

Refractory abdominal pain is a cardinal symptom of chronic pancreatitis (CP). Management strategies revolve around pain mitigation and resolution. Emerging evidence from observational studies highlights that surgery may result in superior pain relief when compared to endoscopic therapy; however, its impact on long-term quality of life or functional outcome has yet to be determined.

Methods

A search through MEDLINE, PubMed and Web of Science was performed for RCTs that compared endoscopic treatment with surgery for the management of CP. The main outcome measure was the impact on pain control. Secondary outcome measures were the effect on quality of life and the incidence rate of new onset exocrine and endocrine failure. Data was pooled for analysis using either an odds ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD) with a random effects model.

Results

Three RCTs were included with a total of 267 patients. Meta-analysis demonstrated that operative treatment was associated with a significantly higher rate of complete pain control (37%) when compared to endoscopic therapy (17%) [OR (95% confidence interval (CI)) 2.79 (1.53–5.08), p = 0.0008]. No difference was noted in the incidence of new onset endocrine or exocrine failure between treatment strategies.

Conclusion

Surgical management of CP results in a greater extent of complete pain relief during long-term follow-up. Further research is required to evaluate the impact of the time interval between diagnosis and intervention on exocrine function, combined with the effect of early up-front islet auto-transplantation in order to determine whether long-term endocrine function can be achieved.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00423-022-02468-x.

Molecular mechanisms of pancreatic myofibroblast activation in chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic fibrosis (PF) is an essential component of the pathobiology of chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Activated pancreatic myofibroblasts (PMFs) are crucial for the deposition of the extracellular matrix, and fibrotic reaction in response to sustained signaling. Consequently, understanding of the molecular mechanisms of PMF activation is not only critical for understanding CP and PDAC biology but is also a fertile area of research for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for pancreatic pathologies. This review analyzes the key signaling events that drive PMF activation including, initiating signals from transforming growth factor-β1, platelet derived growth factor, as well as other microenvironmental cues, like hypoxia and extracellular matrix rigidity. Further, we discussed the intracellular signal events contributing to PMF activation, and crosstalk with different components of tumor microenvironment. Additionally, association of epidemiologically established risk factors for CP and PDAC, like alcohol intake, tobacco exposure, and metabolic factors with PMF activation, is discussed to comprehend the role of lifestyle factors on pancreatic pathologies. Overall, this analysis provides insight into the biology of PMF activation and highlights salient features of this process, which offer promising therapeutic targets.

Chemical pancreatectomy treats chronic pancreatitis while preserving endocrine function in preclinical models

Chronic pancreatitis affects over 250,000 people in the US and millions worldwide. It is associated with chronic debilitating pain, pancreatic exocrine failure, and high risk of pancreatic cancer and usually progresses to diabetes. Treatment options are limited and ineffective. We developed a new potential therapy, wherein a pancreatic ductal infusion of 1%-2% acetic acid in mice and nonhuman primates resulted in a nonregenerative, near-complete ablation of the exocrine pancreas, with complete preservation of the islets. Pancreatic ductal infusion of acetic acid in a mouse model of chronic pancreatitis led to resolution of chronic inflammation and pancreatitis-associated pain. Furthermore, acetic acid-treated animals showed improved glucose tolerance and insulin secretion. The loss of exocrine tissue in this procedure would not typically require further management in patients with chronic pancreatitis because they usually have pancreatic exocrine failure requiring dietary enzyme supplements. Thus, this procedure, which should be readily translatable to humans through an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), may offer a potential innovative nonsurgical therapy for chronic pancreatitis that relieves pain and prevents the progression of pancreatic diabetes.

30-Day outcomes and predictors of complications after Puestow procedure

BACKGROUND

A lateral pancreaticojejunostomy, or a Puestow procedure, is used in chronic pancreatitis with ductal dilation and pain. The current literature on the Puestow is sparse. This study examines outcomes of Puestow procedures nationwide.

METHODS

Using ACS-NSQIP database, patients who underwent a Puestow procedure from 2010 to 2016 were identified. Univariate analysis and multivariable regression models were used to identify predictors of mortality and morbidities. Covariates included in the regression models were chosen based on clinical significance.

RESULTS

The cohort included 524 patients. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.2%(n = 6). At least one major complication occurred in 19.1% of patients including death (1.2%), major organ dysfunction (8.2%), pulmonary embolism (1.3%), and surgical site infections (13.0%). Diabetes, COPD, and transfusions were the strongest predictors of complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The Puestow procedure is an acceptable treatment modality with low rates of morbidity and mortality. Minimizing transfusions and optimizing pulmonary status may improve 30-day outcomes.

Opioid use disorder in admissions for acute exacerbations of chronic pancreatitis and 30-day readmission risk: A nationwide matched analysis

BACKGROUND

The opioid epidemic in the United States has been on the rise. Acute exacerbations of chronic pancreatitis (AECP) patients are at higher risk for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Evidence on OUD's impact on healthcare utilization, especially hospital re-admissions is scarce. We measured the impact of OUD on 30-day readmissions, in patients admitted with AECP from 2010 to 2014.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study which included patients with concurrently documented CP and acute pancreatitis as first two diagnoses, from the National Readmissions Database (NRD). Pancreatic cancer patients and those who left against medical advice were excluded. We compared the 30-day readmission risk between OUD-vs.-non-OUD, while adjusting for other confounders, using multivariable exact-matched [(EM); 18 confounders; n = 28,389] and non-EM regression/time-to-event analyses.

RESULTS

189,585 patients were identified. 6589 (3.5%) had OUD. Mean age was 48.7 years and 57.5% were men. Length-of-stay (4.4 vs 3.9 days) and mean index hospitalization costs ($10,251 vs. $9174) were significantly higher in OUD-compared to non-OUD-patients (p < 0.001). The overall mean 30-day readmission rate was 27.3% (n = 51,806; 35.3% in OUD vs. 27.0% in non-OUD; p < 0.001). OUD patients were 25% more likely to be re-admitted during a 30-day period (EM-HR: 1.25; 95%CI: 1.16-1.36; p < 0.001), Majority of readmissions were pancreas-related (60%), especially AP. OUD cases' aggregate readmissions costs were $23.3 ± 1.5 million USD (n = 2289).

CONCLUSION

OUD contributes significantly to increased readmission risk in patients with AECP, with significant downstream healthcare costs. Measures against OUD in these patients, such as alternative pain-control therapies, may potentially alleviate such increase in health-care resource utilization.

Management of Pancreatic Duct Stones

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pancreatic duct stones are sequela of chronic pancreatitis. They can cause pancreatic duct obstruction which is the most important cause of pain in chronic pancreatitis. Stone resolution has shown to improve pain. The goal of this review is to highlight recent endoscopic and surgical advancements in treatment of pancreatic duct stones.

RECENT FINDINGS

Stone fragmentation by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy has become first line and the mainstay of treatment for majority of patients with pancreatic duct stones. Introduction of digital video pancreatoscopy in the last few years with the capability of guided lithotripsy has provided a robust therapeutic option where extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is unsuccessful or unavailable. Historically, surgery has been considered a more reliable and durable option when feasible. However, it had not been compared with more effective endoscopic therapy. Lithotripsy (extracorporeal and pancreatoscopy guided) is evolving as a strong treatment modality for pancreatic stones.

Chronic pancreatitis: review and update of etiology, risk factors, and management

Chronic pancreatitis is a syndrome involving inflammation, fibrosis, and loss of acinar and islet cells which can manifest in unrelenting abdominal pain, malnutrition, and exocrine and endocrine insufficiency. The Toxic-Metabolic, Idiopathic, Genetic, Autoimmune, Recurrent and Severe Acute Pancreatitis, Obstructive (TIGAR-O) classification system categorizes known causes and factors that contribute to chronic pancreatitis. Although determining disease etiology provides a framework for focused and specific treatments, chronic pancreatitis remains a challenging condition to treat owing to the often refractory, centrally mediated pain and the lack of consensus regarding when endoscopic therapy and surgery are indicated. Further complications incurred include both exocrine and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency, pseudocyst formation, bile duct obstruction, and pancreatic cancer. Medical treatment of chronic pancreatitis involves controlling pain, addressing malnutrition via the treatment of vitamin and mineral deficiencies and recognizing the risk of osteoporosis, and administering appropriate pancreatic enzyme supplementation and diabetic agents. Cornerstones in treatment include the recognition of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and administration of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, support to cease smoking and alcohol consumption, consultation with a dietitian, and a systematic follow-up to assure optimal treatment effect.

AAPT Diagnostic Criteria for Chronic Cancer Pain Conditions

Chronic cancer pain is a serious complication of malignancy or its treatment. Currently, no comprehensive, universally accepted cancer pain classification system exists. Clarity in classification of common cancer pain syndromes would improve clinical assessment and management. Moreover, an evidence-based taxonomy would enhance cancer pain research efforts by providing consistent diagnostic criteria, ensuring comparability across clinical trials. As part of a collaborative effort between the Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations, Innovations, Opportunities, and Networks (ACTTION) and the American Pain Society (APS), the ACTTION-APS Pain Taxonomy initiative worked to develop the characteristics of an optimal diagnostic system. After the establishment of these characteristics, a working group consisting of clinicians and clinical and basic scientists with expertise in cancer and cancer-related pain was convened to generate core diagnostic criteria for an illustrative sample of 3 chronic pain syndromes associated with cancer (ie, bone pain and pancreatic cancer pain as models of pain related to a tumor) or its treatment (ie, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy). A systematic review and synthesis was conducted to provide evidence for the dimensions that comprise this cancer pain taxonomy. Future efforts will subject these diagnostic categories and criteria to systematic empirical evaluation of their feasibility, reliability, and validity and extension to other cancer-related pain syndromes.

PERSPECTIVE

The ACTTION-APS chronic cancer pain taxonomy provides an evidence-based classification for 3 prevalent syndromes, namely malignant bone pain, pancreatic cancer pain, and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. This taxonomy provides consistent diagnostic criteria, common features, comorbidities, consequences, and putative mechanisms for these potentially serious cancer pain conditions that can be extended and applied with other cancer-related pain syndromes.

Morphological and immunohistochemical comparison of intrapancreatic nerves between chronic pancreatitis and type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

The abdominal pain associated with chronic pancreatitis (CP) may be related to the increased number and size of intrapancreatic nerves. On the other hand, patients with type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) rarely suffer from the pain syndrome, and there are no previous studies concerning the histopathological findings of intrapancreatic nerves in patients with type 1 AIP. The current study is aimed at investigating the differences in the histopathological and immunohistochemical findings of intrapancreatic nerves in patients with CP and type 1 AIP.

METHODS

Neuroanatomical differences between CP and type 1 AIP were assessed by immunostaining with a pan-neuronal marker, protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5). The number (neural density) and area (neural hypertrophy) of PGP9.5-immunopositive nerves were quantitatively analyzed. Furthermore, the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF), and a high affinity receptor for NGF, tyrosine kinase receptor A (TrkA), was assessed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Both neural density and hypertrophy were significantly greater in pancreatic tissue samples from patients with CP than those with normal pancreas or type 1 AIP. NGF expression was stronger in type 1 AIP than in CP, whereas TrkA expression in type 1 AIP was poorer than in CP.

CONCLUSIONS

Although CP and type 1 AIP are both characterized by the presence of sustained pancreatic inflammation, they are different in terms of the density and hypertrophy of intrapancreatic nerve fibers. It is possible that this may be related to the difference in the activity of the NGF/TrkA-pathway between the two types of pancreatitis.

Management of pain in chronic pancreatitis with emphasis on exogenous pancreatic enzymes

One of the most challenging issues arising in patients with chronic pancreatitis is the management of abdominal pain. Many competing theories exist to explain pancreatic pain including ductal hypertension from strictures and stones, increased interstitial pressure from glandular fibrosis, pancreatic neuritis, and ischemia. This clinical problem is superimposed on a background of reduced enzyme secretion and altered feedback mechanisms. Throughout history, investigators have used these theories to devise methods to combat chronic pancreatic pain including: Lifestyle measures, antioxidants, analgesics, administration of exogenous pancreatic enzymes, endoscopic drainage procedures, and surgical drainage and resection procedures. While the value of each modality has been debated over the years, pancreatic enzyme therapy remains a viable option. Enzyme therapy restores active enzymes to the small bowel and targets the altered feedback mechanism that lead to increased pancreatic ductal and tissue pressures, ischemia, and pain. Here, we review the mechanisms and treatments for chronic pancreatic pain with a specific focus on pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. We also discuss different approaches to overcoming a lack of clinical response update ideas for studies needed to improve the clinical use of pancreatic enzymes to ameliorate pancreatic pain.

Opioid treatment and hypoalbuminemia are associated with increased hospitalisation rates in chronic pancreatitis outpatients

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a complex and debilitating disease with high resource utilisation. Prospective data on hospital admission rates and associated risk factors are scarce. We investigated hospitalisation rates, causes of hospitalisations and associated risk factors in CP outpatients.

METHODS

This was a prospective cohort study comprising 170 patients with CP. The primary outcome was time to first pancreatitis related hospitalisation and secondary outcomes were the annual hospitalisation frequency (hospitalisation burden) and causes of hospitalisations. A number of clinical and demographic parameters, including pain pattern and severity, opioid use and parameters related to the nutritional state, were analysed for their association with hospitalisation rates.

RESULTS

Of the 170 patients, 57 (33.5%) were hospitalised during the follow-up period (median 11.4 months [IQR 3.8-26.4]). The cumulative hospitalisation incidence was 7.6% (95% CI; 4.5-12.2) after 30 days and 28.8% (95% CI; 22.2-35.7) after 1 year. Eighteen of the hospitalised patients (32%) had three or more admissions per year. High dose opioid treatment (>100 mg per day) (Hazard Ratio 3.1 [95% CI; 1.1-8.5]; P = 0.03) and hypoalbuminemia (<36 g/l) (Hazard Ratio 3.8 [95% CI; 2.0-7.8]; P < 0.001) were identified as independent risk factors for hospitalisation. The most frequent causes of hospitalisations were pain exacerbation (40%) and common bile duct stenosis (28%).

CONCLUSIONS

One-third of CP outpatients account for the majority of hospital admissions and associated risk factors are high dose opioid treatment and hypoalbuminemia. This information should be implemented in outpatient monitoring strategies to identify risk patients and improve treatment.

Chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis describes a wide spectrum of fibro-inflammatory disorders of the exocrine pancreas that includes calcifying, obstructive, and steroid-responsive forms. Use of the term chronic pancreatitis without qualification generally refers to calcifying chronic pancreatitis. Epidemiology is poorly defined, but incidence worldwide seems to be on the rise. Smoking, drinking alcohol, and genetic predisposition are the major risk factors for chronic calcifying pancreatitis. In this Seminar, we discuss the clinical features, diagnosis, and management of chronic calcifying pancreatitis, focusing on pain management, the role of endoscopic and surgical intervention, and the use of pancreatic enzyme-replacement therapy. Management of patients is often challenging and necessitates a multidisciplinary approach.

Duodenum-preserving pancreatic resection versus pancreaticoduodenectomy for chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Surgical excision by removal of the head of the pancreas to decompress the obstructed ducts is one of the treatment options for people with symptomatic chronic pancreatitis. Surgical excision of the head of the pancreas can be performed by excision of the duodenum along with the head of the pancreas (pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD)) or without excision of the duodenum (duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (DPPHR)). There is currently no consensus on the method of pancreatic head resection in people with chronic pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the benefits and harms of duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection versus pancreaticoduodenectomy in people with chronic pancreatitis for whom pancreatic resection is considered the main treatment option.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index Expanded, and trials registers to June 2015 to identify randomised trials. We also searched the references of included trials to identify further trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We considered only randomised controlled trials (RCT) performed in people with chronic pancreatitis undergoing pancreatic head resection, irrespective of language, blinding, or publication status, for inclusion in the review.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently identified trials and extracted data. We calculated the risk ratio (RR), mean difference (MD), rate ratio (RaR), or hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) based on an available-case analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

Five trials including 292 participants met the inclusion criteria for the review. After exclusion of 23 participants mainly due to pancreatic cancer or because participants did not receive the planned treatment, a total of 269 participants (with symptomatic chronic pancreatitis involving the head of pancreas and requiring surgery) were randomly assigned to receive DPPHR (135 participants) or PD (134 participants). The trials did not report the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status of the participants. All the trials were single-centre trials and included people with and without obstructive jaundice and people with and without duodenal stenosis but did not report data separately for those with and without jaundice or those with and without duodenal stenosis. The surgical procedures compared in the five trials included DPPHR (Beger or Frey procedures, or wide local excision of the head of the pancreas) and PD (pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy or Whipple procedure). The participants were followed up for various periods of time ranging from one to 15 years. The trials were at unclear or high risk of bias. The overall quality of evidence was low or very low.The differences in short-term mortality (up to 90 days after surgery) (RR 2.89, 95% CI 0.31 to 26.87; 369 participants; 5 studies; DPPHR: 2/135 (1.5%) versus PD: 0/134 (0%); very low quality evidence) or long-term mortality (maximal follow-up) (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.34; 229 participants; 4 studies; very low quality evidence), medium-term (three months to five years) (only a narrative summary was possible; 229 participants; 4 studies; very low quality evidence), or long-term quality of life (more than five years) (MD 8.45, 95% CI -0.27 to 17.18; 101 participants; 2 studies; low quality evidence), proportion of people with adverse events (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.22 to 1.35; 226 participants; 4 studies; DPPHR: 23/113 (adjusted proportion 20%) versus PD: 41/113 (36.3%); very low quality evidence), number of people with adverse events (RaR 0.95, 95% CI 0.43 to 2.12; 43 participants; 1 study; DPPHR: 12/22 (54.3 events per 100 participants) versus PD: 12/21 (57.1 events per 100 participants); very low quality evidence), proportion of people employed (maximal follow-up) (RR 1.54, 95% CI 1.00 to 2.37; 189 participants; 4 studies; DPPHR: 65/98 (adjusted proportion 69.4%) versus PD: 41/91 (45.1%); low quality evidence), incidence proportion of diabetes mellitus (maximum follow-up) (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.22; 269 participants; 5 studies; DPPHR: 25/135 (adjusted proportion 18.6%) versus PD: 32/134 (23.9%); very low quality evidence), and prevalence proportion of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (maximum follow-up) (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.02; 189 participants; 4 studies; DPPHR: 62/98 (adjusted proportion 62.0%) versus PD: 68/91 (74.7%); very low quality evidence) were imprecise. The length of hospital stay appeared to be lower with DPPHR compared to PD and ranged between a reduction of one day and five days in the trials (208 participants; 4 studies; low quality evidence). None of the trials reported short-term quality of life (four weeks to three months), clinically significant pancreatic fistulas, serious adverse events, time to return to normal activity, time to return to work, and pain scores using a visual analogue scale.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Low quality evidence suggested that DPPHR may result in shorter hospital stay than PD. Based on low or very low quality evidence, there is currently no evidence of any difference in the mortality, adverse events, or quality of life between DPPHR and PD. However, the results were imprecise and further RCTs are required on this topic. Future RCTs comparing DPPHR with PD should report the severity as well as the incidence of postoperative complications and their impact on patient recovery. In such trials, participant and observer blinding should be performed and the analysis should be performed on an intention-to-treat basis to decrease the bias. In addition to the short-term benefits and harms such as mortality, surgery-related complications, quality of life, length of hospital stay, return to normal activity, and return to work, future trials should consider linkage of trial participants to health databases, social databases, and mortality registers to obtain the long-term benefits and harms of the different treatments.

Pregabalin for decreasing pancreatic pain in chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Chronic abdominal pain is one of the major symptoms in people with chronic pancreatitis. The role of pregabalin in people with chronic pancreatic pain due to chronic pancreatitis is uncertain.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the benefits and harms of pregabalin in people with chronic abdominal pain due to chronic pancreatitis.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in The Cochrane Library 2015, issue 6, and MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index Expanded, trials registers until June 2015. We also searched the references of included trials to identify further trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We considered only randomised controlled trials (RCT) performed in people with chronic pancreatic pain due to chronic pancreatitis, irrespective of language, blinding, or publication status for inclusion in the review.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently identified trials and independently extracted data. We calculated the risk ratio (RR) or mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) with RevMan 5, based on intention-to-treat analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

Only one study, funded by Pfizer, met the inclusion criteria for the review. A total of 64 participants (with chronic pain due to chronic pancreatitis) were randomly assigned to receive escalating doses of pregabalin (150 mg per day to 600 mg per day; 34 participants) or matching placebo (30 participants). Participants received pregabalin or placebo for three weeks on an outpatient basis; the outcomes were measured at the end of the treatment (i.e. three weeks from commencement of treatment). Potential participants taking concomitant analgesic medication and expected to stay on a stable regime during the trial were allowed to enter the study. This trial was at low risk of bias. The overall quality of evidence was low or moderate.Only the short-term outcomes were available in this trial. The medium and long-term outcomes, number of work days lost, and length of hospital stay due to admissions for pain control were not available. This trial found that the changes in opiate use (MD -26.00 mg; 95% CI -47.36 to -4.64; participants = 64; moderate-quality evidence), and pain score percentage changes from baseline (MD -12.00; 95% CI -21.82 to -2.18; participants = 64; moderate-quality evidence) were better in participants taking pregabalin compared to those taking placebo. This trial also found that there were more adverse events in participants taking pregabalin compared to those taking placebo (RR 1.71; 95% CI 1.20 to 2.43; participants = 64). The differences between pregabalin and placebo were imprecise for short-term health-related quality of life measured with the EORTC CLQ-30 questionnaire (MD 11.40; 95% CI -3.28 to 26.08; participants = 64; moderate-quality evidence), proportion of people with serious adverse events (RR 1.76; 95% CI 0.35 to 8.96; participants = 64; low-quality evidence), and proportion of people requiring hospital admissions (RR 0.44; 95% CI 0.04 to 4.62; participants = 64; low quality evidence).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Based on low- to moderate-quality evidence, short-term use of pregabalin decreases short-term opiate use, and short-term pain scores, but increases the adverse events compared to placebo, in people with chronic pain due to chronic pancreatitis. The clinical implication of the decreases in short-term opiate use and short-term pain scores is not known.Future trials assessing the role of pregabalin in decreasing chronic pain in chronic pancreatitis should assess the medium- or long-term effects of pregabalin and should include outcomes such as, quality of life, treatment-related adverse events, number of work days lost, number of hospital admissions, and the length of hospital stay, in addition to pain scores, to assess the clinical and socioeconomic impact.

Surgery remains the best option for the management of pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Controversy related to endoscopic or surgical management of pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis remains. Despite improvement in endoscopic treatments, surgery remains the best option for pain management in these patients.

Surgical Management of Chronic Pancreatitis

Advances over the past decade have indicated that a complex interplay between environmental factors, genetic predisposition, alcohol abuse, and smoking lead towards the development of chronic pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis is a complex disorder that causes significant and chronic incapacity in patients and a substantial burden on the society. Major advances have been made in the etiology and pathogenesis of this disease and the role of genetic predisposition is increasingly coming to the fore. Advances in noninvasive diagnostic modalities now allow for better diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis at an early stage of the disease. The impact of these advances on surgical treatment is beginning to emerge, for example, patients with certain genetic predispositions may be better treated with total pancreatectomy versus lesser procedures. Considerable controversy remains with respect to the surgical management of chronic pancreatitis. Modern understanding of the neurobiology of pain in chronic pancreatitis suggests that a window of opportunity exists for effective treatment of the intractable pain after which central sensitization can lead to an irreversible pain syndrome in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Effective surgical procedures exist for chronic pancreatitis; however, the timing of surgery is unclear. For optimal treatment of patients with chronic pancreatitis, close collaboration between a multidisciplinary team including gastroenterologists, surgeons, and pain management physicians is needed.

Endoscopic or surgical intervention for painful obstructive chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Endoscopy and surgery are the treatment modalities of choice for patients with chronic pancreatitis and dilated pancreatic duct (obstructive chronic pancreatitis). Physicians face, without clear consensus, the choice between endoscopy or surgery for this group of patients.

OBJECTIVES

To assess and compare the effects and complications of surgical and endoscopic interventions in the management of pain for obstructive chronic pancreatitis.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the following databases in The Cochrane Library: CENTRAL (2014, Issue 2), the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2014, Issue 2), and DARE (2014, Issue 2). We also searched the following databases up to 25 March 2014: MEDLINE (from 1950), Embase (from 1980), and the Conference Proceedings Citation Index - Science (CPCI-S) (from 1990). We performed a cross-reference search. Two review authors independently performed the selection of trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of endoscopic or surgical interventions in obstructive chronic pancreatitis. We included trials comparing endoscopic versus surgical interventions as well as trials comparing either endoscopic or surgical interventions to conservative treatment (i.e. non-invasive treatment modalities). We included relevant trials irrespective of blinding, the number of participants randomised, and the language of the article.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration. Two authors independently extracted data from the articles. We evaluated the methodological quality of the included trials and requested additional information from study authors in the case of missing data.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified three eligible trials. Two trials compared endoscopic intervention with surgical intervention and included a total of 111 participants: 55 in the endoscopic group and 56 in the surgical group. Compared with the endoscopic group, the surgical group had a higher proportion of participants with pain relief, both at middle/long-term follow-up (two to five years: risk ratio (RR) 1.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22 to 2.15) and long-term follow-up (≥ five years, RR 1.56, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.05). Surgical intervention resulted in improved quality of life and improved preservation of exocrine pancreatic function at middle/long-term follow-up (two to five years), but not at long-term follow-up (≥ 5 years). No differences were found in terms of major post-interventional complications or mortality, although the number of participants did not allow for this to be reliably evaluated. One trial, including 32 participants, compared surgical intervention with conservative treatment: 17 in the surgical group and 15 in the conservative group. The trial showed that surgical intervention resulted in a higher percentage of participants with pain relief and better preservation of pancreatic function. The trial had methodological limitations, and the number of participants was relatively small.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

For patients with obstructive chronic pancreatitis and dilated pancreatic duct, this review shows that surgery is superior to endoscopy in terms of pain relief. Morbidity and mortality seem not to differ between the two intervention modalities, but the small trials identified do not provide sufficient power to detect the small differences expected in this outcome.Regarding the comparison of surgical intervention versus conservative treatment, this review has shown that surgical intervention in an early stage of chronic pancreatitis is a promising approach in terms of pain relief and pancreatic function. Other trials need to confirm these results because of the methodological limitations and limited number of participants assessed in the present evidence.

Pain severity reduces life quality in chronic pancreatitis: Implications for design of future outcome trials

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a disabling disease characterised by abdominal pain, and various pancreatic and extra-pancreatic complications. We investigated the interactions between pain characteristics (i.e. pain severity and its pattern in time), complications, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with CP.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of 106 patients with CP conducted at two North European tertiary medical centres. Detailed information on clinical patient characteristics was obtained from interviews and through review of the individual patient records. Pain severity scores and pain pattern time profiles were extracted from the modified brief pain inventory short form and correlated to QOL as assessed by the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Interactions with exocrine and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency, as well as pancreatic and extra-pancreatic complications were analysed using regression models.

RESULTS

Pain was the most prominent symptom in our cohort and its severity was significantly correlated with EORTC global health status (r = -0.46; P < 0.001) and most functional and symptom subscales. In contrast the patterns of pain in time were not associated with any of the life quality subscales. When controlling for interactions from exocrine and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency no effect modifications were evident (P = 0.72 and P = 0.85 respectively), while the presence of pancreatic and extra-pancreatic complications was associated with an almost 15% decrease in life quality (P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Pain severity and disease related complications significantly reduce life quality in patients with CP. This information is important in order to design more accurate and clinical meaningful endpoints in future outcome trials.

Treatment options in painful chronic pancreatitis: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Longlasting and unbearable pain is the most common and striking symptom of chronic pancreatitis. Accordingly, pain relief and improvement in patients' quality of life are the primary goals in the treatment of this disease. This systematic review aims to summarize the available data on treatment options.

METHODS

A systematic search of MEDLINE/PubMed and the Cochrane Library was performed according to the PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analysis. The search was limited to randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses. Reference lists were then hand-searched for additional relevant titles. The results obtained were examined individually by two independent investigators for further selection and data extraction.

RESULTS

A total of 416 abstracts were reviewed, of which 367 were excluded because they were obviously irrelevant or represented overlapping studies. Consequently, 49 full-text articles were systematically reviewed.

CONCLUSIONS

First-line medical options include the provision of pain medication, adjunctive agents and pancreatic enzymes, and abstinence from alcohol and tobacco. If medical treatment fails, endoscopic treatment offers pain relief in the majority of patients in the short term. However, current data suggest that surgical treatment seems to be superior to endoscopic intervention because it is significantly more effective and, especially, lasts longer.

Spectrum of use and effectiveness of endoscopic and surgical therapies for chronic pancreatitis in the United States

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to describe the frequency of use and reported effectiveness of endoscopic and surgical therapies in patients with chronic pancreatitis treated at US referral centers.

METHODS

Five hundred fifteen patients were enrolled prospectively in the North American Pancreatitis Study 2, where patients and treating physicians reported previous therapeutic interventions and their perceived effectiveness. We evaluated the frequency and effectiveness of endoscopic (biliary or pancreatic sphincterotomy, biliary or pancreatic stent placement) and surgical (pancreatic cyst removal, pancreatic drainage procedure, pancreatic resection, surgical sphincterotomy) therapies.

RESULTS

Biliary and/or pancreatic sphincterotomy (42%) were the most common endoscopic procedure (biliary stent, 14%; pancreatic stent, 36%; P < 0.001). Endoscopic procedures were equally effective (biliary sphincterotomy, 40.0%; biliary stent, 40.8%; pancreatic stent, 47.0%; P = 0.34). On multivariable analysis, the presence of abdominal pain (odds ratio, 1.82; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-2.88) predicted endoscopy, whereas exocrine insufficiency (odds ratio, 0.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.42-0.94) deterred endoscopy. Surgical therapies were attempted equally (cyst removal, 7%; drainage procedure, 10%; resection procedure, 12%) except for surgical sphincteroplasty (4%; P < 0.001). Surgical sphincteroplasty was the least effective (46%; P < 0.001) versus cyst removal (76% drainage [71%] and resection [73%]).

CONCLUSIONS

Although surgical therapies were performed less frequently than endoscopic therapies, they were more often reported to be effective.

Functional reorganization of brain networks in patients with painful chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

The underlying pain mechanisms of chronic pancreatitis (CP) are incompletely understood, but recent research points to involvement of pathological central nervous system processing involving pain-relevant brain areas. We investigated the organization and connectivity of brain networks involved in nociceptive processing in patients with painful CP.

METHODS

Contact heat-evoked potentials (CHEPs) were recorded in 15 patients with CP and in 15 healthy volunteers. The upper abdominal area (sharing spinal innervation with the pancreatic gland) was used as a proxy of 'pancreatic stimulation', while stimulation of a heterologous region remote to the pancreas (right forearm) was used as a control. Subjective pain scores were assessed by visual analogue scale. The brain source organization and connectivity of CHEPs components were analysed.

RESULTS

After pancreatic area stimulation, brain source analysis revealed abnormalities in the cingulate/operculo-insular network. A posterior shift of the operculo-insular source (p = 0.004) and an anterior shift of the cingulate source (p < 0.001) were seen in CP patients, along with a decreased strength of the cingulate source (p = 0.01). The operculo-insular shift was positively correlated with the severity of patient clinical pain score (r = 0.61; p = 0.03). No differences in CHEPs characteristics or source localizations were seen following stimulation of the right forearm.

CONCLUSIONS

CP patients showed abnormal cerebral processing after stimulation of the upper abdominal area. These changes correlated to the severity of pain the patient was experiencing. Since the upper abdominal area shares spinal innervation with the pancreatic gland, these findings likely reflect maladaptive neuroplastic changes, which are characteristic of CP.

Pain and chronic pancreatitis: A complex interplay of multiple mechanisms

Despite multiple theories on the pathogenesis of pain in chronic pancreatitis, no uniform and consistently successful treatment strategy exists and abdominal pain still remains the dominating symptom for most patients and a major challenge for clinicians. Traditional theories focussed on a mechanical cause of pain related to anatomical changes and evidence of increased ductal and interstitial pressures. These observations form the basis for surgical and endoscopic drainage procedures, but the outcome is variable and often unsatisfactory. This underscores the fact that other factors must contribute to pathogenesis of pain, and has shifted the focus towards a more complex neurobiological understanding of pain generation. Amongst other explanations for pain, experimental and human studies have provided evidence that pain perception at the peripheral level and central pain processing of the nociceptive information is altered in patients with chronic pancreatitis, and resembles that seen in neuropathic and chronic pain disorders. However, pain due to e.g., complications to the disease and adverse effects to treatment must not be overlooked as an additional source of pain. This review outlines the current theories on pain generation in chronic pancreatitis which is crucial in order to understand the complexity and limitations of current therapeutic approaches. Furthermore, it may also serve as an inspiration for further research and development of methods that can evaluate the relative contribution and interplay of different pain mechanisms in the individual patients, before they are subjected to more or less empirical treatment.

Pharmacological pain management in chronic pancreatitis

Intense abdominal pain is a prominent feature of chronic pancreatitis and its treatment remains a major clinical challenge. Basic studies of pancreatic nerves and experimental human pain research have provided evidence that pain processing is abnormal in these patients and in many cases resembles that seen in neuropathic and chronic pain disorders. An important ultimate outcome of such aberrant pain processing is that once the disease has advanced and the pathophysiological processes are firmly established, the generation of pain can become self-perpetuating and independent of the initial peripheral nociceptive drive. Consequently, the management of pain by traditional methods based on nociceptive deafferentation (e.g., surgery and visceral nerve blockade) becomes difficult and often ineffective. This novel and improved understanding of pain aetiology requires a paradigm shift in pain management of chronic pancreatitis. Modern mechanism based pain treatments taking into account altered pain processing are likely to increasingly replace invasive therapies targeting the nociceptive source, which should be reserved for special and carefully selected cases. In this review, we offer an overview of the current available pharmacological options for pain management in chronic pancreatitis. In addition, future options for pain management are discussed with special emphasis on personalized pain medicine and multidisciplinarity.

A phase II trial of human secretin infusion for refractory type B pain in chronic pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine if intravenous synthetic human secretin (sHS) improves refractory type B pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP).

METHODS

In a phase II dose escalation trial, patients with CP received sHS of varying doses (0.05-0.8 µg/kg) for 3 days. The primary outcomes were changes in the visual analogue pain score (VAS), short form (SF)-36, and opiate use from baseline at 30 days after infusion.

RESULTS

Twelve patients (mean age, 42 years, 6 men) were included. Mean pain scores (VAS) were 5.79, 4.80, 4.72, and 4.90, at baseline, day 4, day 10, and day 30, respectively (P = 0.25, 0.19, and 0.27 when compared with baseline, respectively). Daily opiate use (oral morphine equivalents) decreased throughout the study from a baseline value of 136 to 111 mg on day 4 (P = 0.52) and to 104 mg on day 30 (P = 0.34). In subgroup analysis, women had the most improvement (VAS baseline, 5.42 vs. VAS day 30, 3.67; P = 0.07; baseline morphine equivalents, 107 mg vs. 84 mg; P = 0.21).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients, especially women, with refractory type B pain from CP, intravenous sHS administration demonstrated a trend toward improvement in self-reported pain and opiate use at 30 days after infusion, although statistical significance was not achieved (clinicaltrials.gov registration number NCT01265875).

Endoscopic therapy is effective for patients with chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Endoscopic therapy (ET) frequently is used to treat patients with painful chronic pancreatitis (CP), but little is known about outcomes of patients for whom ET was not successful who then underwent surgery, or outcomes after ET compared with only medical treatment. We evaluated use and long-term effectiveness of ET in a well-defined cohort of patients with CP.

METHODS

We analyzed data from 146 patients with CP who participated in the North American Pancreatitis Study 2 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center from 2000 to 2006; 71 (49%) patients received ET at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Success of ET and surgery were defined by cessation of narcotic therapy and resolution of episodes of acute pancreatitis. Disease progression was followed up from its onset until January 1, 2011 (mean, 8.2 ± 4.7 y).

RESULTS

Patients who underwent ET had more symptoms (pain, recurrent pancreatitis) and had more complex pancreatic morphology (based on imaging) than patients who received medical therapy. ET had a high rate of technical success (60 of 71 cases; 85%); its rates of clinical success were 51% for 28 of 55 patients for whom follow-up data were available (mean time, 4.8 ± 3.0 y) and 50% for 12 of 24 patients who underwent surgery after receiving ET. Patients who responded to ET were significantly older, had a shorter duration of disease before ET, had less constant pain, and required fewer daily narcotics than patients who did not respond to ET. Among the 36 symptomatic patients who received medical therapy and were followed up for a mean period of 5.7 ± 4.1 years, 31% improved and 53% had no change in symptoms; of these, 21% underwent surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

ET is clinically successful for 50% of patients with symptomatic CP. When ET is not successful, surgery has successful outcomes in 50% of patients. Symptoms resolve in 31% of symptomatic patients who receive only medical therapy.

Cerebral excitability is abnormal in patients with painful chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

We investigated whether patients with painful chronic pancreatitis (CP) present abnormalities in the cerebral response to experimental pain stimuli.

METHODS

Contact heat-evoked potentials (CHEPS) were recorded in 15 patients with CP and in 15 healthy volunteers during repetitive stimulation of the upper abdominal region (pancreatic 'viscerotome') and the right forearm (heterologous area). Three sequences of painful stimuli were applied at each site. Subjective pain scores were assessed by a visual analogue scale. Habituation was calculated as the relative change in CHEPS amplitudes between the first and the third stimulation sequence.

RESULTS

As expected pain scores decreased in healthy volunteers during successive stimulations at both sites (i.e., habituation), while in the CP group, they remained unchanged. The cerebral response consisted of an early-latency, low-amplitude response (N1, contralateral temporal region) followed by a late, high-amplitude, negative-positive complex (N2/P2, vertex). During successive stimulation of the pancreatic area, N2/P2 amplitude increased 25% in CP patients, while they decreased 20% in healthy volunteers (p = 0.006). After stimulation of the forearm, N2/P2 amplitudes increased 3% in CP patients compared to a decrease of 20% in healthy volunteers (p = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, CP patients had an abnormal cerebral response to repetitive thermal stimuli. This was most prominent after stimulation of the upper abdominal area. As this area share spinal innervation with the pancreatic gland, these findings likely mirror distinctive abnormalities in cerebral pain processing.

Pain and opioid use in chronic pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

Opioid therapy for pain in chronic pancreatitis (CP) is associated with tolerance and possibly opioid-induced hyperalgesia. We thus examined opioid use and pain rating in CP patients.

METHODS

Medical records of patients with established CP treated at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Digestive Disorders Center between April 2008 and December 2009 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Two hundred nineteen unique patients (53% men; age, 50 ± 1 years) were identified. At least moderate pain was initially present in 37% of the patients. Half (51%) of the patients received opioids (average morphine equivalent, 78.1 ± 12.4 mg/d). Pain severity correlated with age (r = -0.22), history of alcohol abuse (r = 0.14), affective spectrum disorders (r = 0.14), presence of coexisting pain syndromes (r = 0.24), opioid use (r = 0.49), and days with concerns about physical (r = 0.55) or mental problems (r = 0.35). In contrast, computed tomography-defined pancreatic abnormalities (calcification, pseudocysts, ductal stones, or dilation) did not correlate with pain rating. Regression analysis identified age, days with physical problems, and a coexisting chronic pain syndrome as best independent predictors of pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic pancreatitis etiology, especially alcohol use, and psychosocial factors are important determinants of pain severity in CP. Successful management thus needs to go beyond treatment of changes in pancreatic morphology to effectively improve quality of life and utilization of medical resources.

Isolation of human islets for autologous islet transplantation in children and adolescents with chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas that causes permanent changes in the function and structure of the pancreas. It is most commonly a complication of cystic fibrosis or due to a genetic predisposition. Chronic pancreatitis generally presents symptomatically as recurrent abdominal pain, which becomes persistent over time. The pain eventually becomes disabling. Once specific medical treatments and endoscopic interventions are no longer efficacious, total pancreatectomy is the alternative of choice for helping the patient achieve pain control. While daily administrations of digestive enzymes cannot be avoided, insulin-dependent diabetes can be prevented by transplanting the isolated pancreatic islets back to the patient. The greater the number of islets infused, the greater the chance to prevent or at least control the effects of surgical diabetes. We present here a technical approach for the isolation and preservation of the islets proven to be efficient to obtain high numbers of islets, favoring the successful treatment of young patients.

Endoscopic or surgical intervention for painful obstructive chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Endoscopy and surgery are the treatment modalities of choice in patients with obstructive chronic pancreatitis. Physicians face the decision between endoscopy and surgery for this group of patients, without clear consensus.

OBJECTIVES

To assess and compare the effectiveness and complications of surgical and endoscopic interventions in the management of pain for obstructive chronic pancreatitis.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Conference Proceedings Citation Index; and performed a cross-reference search. Two review authors performed the selection of trials independently.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating endoscopic or surgical interventions for obstructive chronic pancreatitis. All trials were included irrespective of blinding, number of patients randomised and language of the article.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently extracted data from the articles. The methodological quality of included trials was evaluated. Authors were requested additional information in the case of missing data.

MAIN RESULTS

We screened 2082 publications and identified three eligible trials. Two trials compared endoscopic intervention to surgical intervention. These included a total of 111 patients, 55 in the endoscopic group and 56 in the surgical group. A higher proportion of patients with pain relief was found in the surgical group compared to the endoscopic group (partial or complete pain relief: RR 1.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11 to 2.37; complete pain relief: RR 2.45, 95% CI 1.18 to 5.09). Surgical intervention resulted in improved quality of life and improved preservation of exocrine pancreatic function in one trial. The number of patients did not allow for a reliable evaluation of morbidity and mortality between the two treatment modalities. One trial compared surgical intervention to conservative treatment. It included 32 patients: 17 in the surgical group and 15 in the conservative group. The trial showed that surgical intervention resulted in a higher percentage of patients with pain relief and better preservation of pancreatic function. The trial had methodological limitations and the number of patients was relatively small.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

For patients with obstructive chronic pancreatitis and dilated pancreatic duct, this review showed that surgery is superior to endoscopy in terms of pain control. Morbidity and mortality seemed not to differ between the two intervention modalities, but the small trials identified do not provide sufficient power to detect the small differences expected in this outcome.Regarding the comparison of surgical intervention versus conservative treatment, this review has shown that surgical intervention in an early stage of chronic pancreatitis seems to be a promising approach in terms of pain control and pancreatic function. Confirmation of these results is needed in other trials due to the methodological limitations and limited number of patients of the present evidence.

Use and perceived effectiveness of non-analgesic medical therapies for chronic pancreatitis in the United States

BACKGROUND

Effectiveness of medical therapies in chronic pancreatitis has been described in small studies of selected patients.

AIM

To describe frequency and perceived effectiveness of non-analgesic medical therapies in chronic pancreatitis patients evaluated at US referral centres.

METHODS

Using data on 516 chronic pancreatitis patients enrolled prospectively in the NAPS2 Study, we evaluated how often medical therapies [pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), vitamins/antioxidants (AO), octreotide, coeliac plexus block (CPB)] were utilized and considered useful by physicians.

RESULTS

Oral PERT was commonly used (70%), more frequently in the presence of exocrine insufficiency (EI) (88% vs. 61%, P < 0.001) and pain (74% vs. 59%, P < 0.002). On multivariable analyses, predictors of PERT usage were EI (OR 5.14, 95% CI 2.87-9.18), constant (OR 3.42, 95% CI 1.93-6.04) or intermittent pain (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.14-3.45). Efficacy of PERT was predicted only by EI (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.36-3.42). AO were tried less often (14%) and were more effective in idiopathic and obstructive vs. alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (25% vs. 4%, P = 0.03). Other therapies were infrequently used (CPB - 5%, octreotide - 7%) with efficacy generally <50%.

CONCLUSIONS

Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy is commonly utilized, but is considered useful in only subsets of chronic pancreatitis patients. Other medical therapies are used infrequently and have limited efficacy.

Descending inhibitory pain modulation is impaired in patients with chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Pain is a prominent symptom in chronic pancreatitis (CP), but the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. We investigated the role of descending pain modulation from supraspinal structures as well as central nervous system sensitization in patients with pain from CP.

METHODS

Twenty-five patients with CP and 15 healthy volunteers were included. Descending pain modulation was investigated by diffuse noxious inhibitory control (a descending inhibitory response after conditioning stimulation). Central pain processing was investigated as the perceptual responses to multimodal (electrical, thermal, and mechanical) stimulations of the rectosigmoid and evoked brain potentials after electrical stimulation of the rectosigmoid.

RESULTS

Compared with healthy volunteers, the efficacy of diffuse noxious inhibitory control was reduced in patients with CP (13% +/- 21% vs 39% +/- 22%, respectively; F = 3.8; P = .01); central sensitization was indicated by remote hyperalgesia in the rectosigmoid to electrical stimulation (21 +/- 15 mA vs 27 +/- 15 mA; F = 6.2; P = .02) and heat stimulation (51 degrees C +/- 5 degrees C vs 53 degrees C +/- 4 degrees C; F = 5.9; P = .02). Compared with controls, patients with CP had increased latency of the early P1 peak to rectosigmoid stimulation (85 +/- 21 ms vs 108 +/- 28 ms, respectively; P = .02), possibly reflecting reorganization of central pain pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with CP have impairments in inhibitory pain modulation and evidence of central sensitization. Treatment of their pain therefore should focus not only on the pancreas, but also on descending pain modulation from supraspinal structures and central nervous system sensitization.

Pain and emotional well-being outcomes in Southwest Oncology Group-directed intergroup trial S0205: a phase III study comparing gemcitabine plus cetuximab versus gemcitabine as first-line therapy in patients with advanced pancreas cancer

PURPOSE

S0205 was a randomized clinical trial that compared the therapeutic impact of gemcitabine versus gemcitabine plus cetuximab. Study results for patient-reported health-related quality of life (HRQL) outcomes are reported.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients completed the Brief Pain Inventory and a measure of emotional well-being (each measured on a 0 to 10 scale) at baseline and at weeks 5, 9, 13, and 17 postrandom assignment. Worst pain status was classified as palliated (worst pain scores < 5 maintained for 2 consecutive cycles) or not palliated (remaining patients) and tested with a chi(2) test. Change in emotional well-being and worst pain (exploratory analysis) were assessed over 17 weeks using generalized estimating equations with inverse probability of censoring weights.

RESULTS

Seven hundred twenty of 766 enrolled patients contributed baseline HRQL data. The two treatment arms did not differ statistically in the percentage of patients with successful worst pain palliation. Longitudinal analyses showed significantly improved emotional well-being for patients on both arms by weeks 13 and 17 (P < .01 and P < .001). An exploratory longitudinal analysis of worst pain showed significant decreases at all time points for both arms (P < .01 and P < .001). Significant treatment arm differences for either worst pain or emotional well-being were not observed at any of the assessment times.

CONCLUSION

We observed palliated pain and improved well-being for patients on this trial. However, these improvements were similar in both treatment arms, suggesting that the addition of cetuximab did not contribute to improvement in these HRQL outcomes.

Pain management in chronic pancreatitis: A treatment algorithm

Abdominal pain is common and frequently debilitating in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Medical therapy includes abstinence from tobacco and alcohol and the use of analgesics and adjunctive agents. In many patients, a trial of non-enteric-coated pancreatic enzymes and/or antioxidants may be tried. Endoscopic or surgical therapy requires careful patient selection based on a detailed analysis of pancreatic ductal anatomy. Those with a non-dilated main pancreatic duct have limited endoscopic and surgical alternatives. The presence of a dilated main pancreatic duct makes endoscopic or surgical therapy possible, which may include ductal decompression or pancreatic resection, or both. Randomised trials suggest surgical therapy is more durable and effective than endoscopic therapy. Less commonly employed options include EUS-guided coeliac plexus block, thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy, or total pancreatectomy with auto islet cell transplantation. These are used rarely when all other options have failed and only in very carefully selected patients.

Astrocytic activation in thoracic spinal cord contributes to persistent pain in rat model of chronic pancreatitis

One of the most important symptoms in chronic pancreatitis (CP) is constant and recurrent abdominal pain. However, there is still no ideal explanation and treatment on it. Previous studies indicated that pain in CP shared many characteristics of neuropathic pain. As an important mechanism underlying neuropathic pain, astrocytic activation is probably involved in pain of CP. Based on the trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induce rat CP model, we performed pancreatic histology to assess the severity of CP with semiquantitative scores and tested the nociceptive behaviors following induction of CP. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expressions in the thoracic spinal cord were observed by immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Meanwhile, we injected intrathecally astrocytic specific inhibitor l-alpha-aminoadipate (LAA) and observed its effect on nociception induced by CP. Compared to the naive and sham group, TNBS produced long lasting pancreatitis, and persistent mechanical hypersensitivity in the abdomen that was evident 1 week after TNBS infusion and persisted up to 5 weeks. Compared with naive or sham operated rats, GFAP staining was significantly increased 5 weeks after CP induction. Real-time RT-PCR indicated that GFAP expression was significantly increased in TNBS treated rats compared to the sham group. TNBS-induced astrocytic activation was significantly attenuated by LAA, compared with the saline control. Treatment with LAA significantly, even though not completely, attenuated the allodynia. Our results provide for the first time that astrocytes may play a critical role in pain of CP. Some actions could be taken to prevent astrocytic activation to treat pain in CP patients.