Complications of Pancreatitis—Knowledge Gaps and Research Opportunities: A Workshop Summary

Endocrine and exocrine insufficiencies are well recognized pancreatic-specific sequelae of chronic pancreatitis (CP), yet the impact of CP extends beyond the pancreas. The pathophysiology driving these complications are complex and poorly understood resulting in inadequate recognition and an inability to stratify risk of disease progression. To address this topic, the Collaborative Alliance for Pancreatic Education and Research convened a workshop to summarize our current understanding and identify knowledge gaps related to the complications of CP. The clinical uncertainty related to who will develop systemic complications of CP, and when, negatively affects the patient’s clinical experience and is an area of research that requires additional commitment. Adapting modeling strategies proven effective in other conditions (e.g., type 2 diabetes) may be effective in identifying and predicting the onset of endocrine and exocrine insufficiencies. Improved understanding related to genetic risk factors, biomarkers, clinical testing and advanced imaging techniques all represent pathways to better identify these complications and develop pancreatitis-specific interventions. Additional complications of CP including pain, osteopathies, sarcopenia, malnutrition and visceral neuropathies can occur independently or as complication from endocrine and/or exocrine insufficiency. Better screening strategies to identify these conditions are required, many of which may be accomplished using opportunistic screening strategies. Future research will need to utilize existing treatment modalities and medications, in addition to developing new interventions, to treat these complications of CP that have a tremendous impact on patients’ quality of life. Genetic testing in pancreatitis is likely to inform any research related to the complications of CP, but low penetrance of disease, poor genotype-phenotype associations and health disparities that impact use of testing across centers currently limits its clinical utility for all patients. Genetic testing remains critical in certain populations with CP and should be incorporated into research whenever possible to inform much needed disease progression prediction models.