Chronic and idiopathic pancreatitis : a personalized treatment approach

Abstract

Chronic pancreatitis is a fibroinflammatory disease of the pancreas with heterogeneous clinical features and a significant socioeconomic burden. Assessing its aetiology and early diagnosis of associated complications remain challenging. Personalized therapy necessitates precise knowledge of the genetic, biological, and clinical differences within a patient population. In this context, the identification of the underlying aetiology represents an essential cornerstone. This review elucidates current standards for identifying underlying aetiologies and the diagnostic work-up for idiopathic cases. It provides an overview of general therapeutic approaches and highlights individual treatment options. Additionally, the follow-up management of pancreatitis-associated complications, namely exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, post-pancreatitis diabetes mellitus, pain management, pancreatic fluid collections, and pancreatic cancer risk, is summarized.