Journal article
Complications of Pancreatitis—Knowledge Gaps and Research Opportunities: A Workshop Summary
Pancreas, Vol.55(3), pp.e267-e277
03/2026
DOI: 10.1097/MPA.0000000000002574
PMID: 41668344
Abstract
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 is 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 (eg, 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 complications 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 the use of testing across centers currently limit 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.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Complications of Pancreatitis—Knowledge Gaps and Research Opportunities: A Workshop Summary
- Creators
- Jami L. Saloman - University of PittsburghDana K. Andersen - National Institutes of HealthMaisam Abu-El-Haija - Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterMelena D. Bellin - University of Minnesota Children's HospitalDarwin L. Conwell - University of KentuckyMahya Faghih - Johns Hopkins UniversityChristopher E. Forsmark - University of FloridaMark O. Goodarzi - Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterAiste K. Gulla - George Washington UniversityPhil A. Hart - The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterSteven J. Hughes - University of Florida HealthBraden Kuo - Massachusetts General HospitalJennifer M. Ladd - Nationwide Children's HospitalBomi Lee - Stanford UniversityStephen J. Pandol - Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterAnna Evans Phillips - University of PittsburghKristen M. Roberts - Ohio Department of HealthSarah Jane Schwarzenberg - Fairview Health ServicesVikesh K. Singh - Johns Hopkins UniversityRonald M. Summers - National Institutes of Health Clinical CenterTemel Tirkes - Indiana University School of MedicineFrederico G.S. Toledo - University of PittsburghGuru Trikudanathan - University of MinnesotaAliye Uc - University of IowaClive H. Wasserfall - University of FloridaDavid C. Whitcomb - University of PittsburghDhiraj Yadav - University of PittsburghChristine Yost - Patient participantWenying Zhang - Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterA. Jay Freeman - Nationwide Children's Hospital
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Pancreas, Vol.55(3), pp.e267-e277
- DOI
- 10.1097/MPA.0000000000002574
- PMID
- 41668344
- NLM abbreviation
- Pancreas
- ISSN
- 1536-4828
- eISSN
- 1536-4828
- Publisher
- LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
- Grant note
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and NutritionNational Pancreas FoundationEris M. Field Chair in Diabetes ResearchIntramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Funding for the workshop was provided by Nationwide Children's Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and the National Pancreas Foundation. Advertising and support were provided by CAPER. The authors appreciate the significant data contributed to the discussions by Tanya Gonska and Pritam Mukherjee. M.O.G. was supported by the Eris M. Field Chair in Diabetes Research. The work presented (RMS) during the workshop was supported in part by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. The contributions of the NIH author(s) are considered Works of the United States Government. The findings and conclusions presented in this paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NIH or the US Department of Health and Human Services.
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/2026
- Academic Unit
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Pancreatology, and Nutrition
- Record Identifier
- 9985139272402771
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