Chronic pancreatitis and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

Chronic pancreatitis is a fibro-inflammatory disease of the pancreas characterized by inflammation and fibrosis. It is associated with excessive alcohol consumption and smoking, although a number of other risk factors are increasingly recognized, including genetic predisposition. Patients typically present with upper abdominal pain, weight loss and changes in bowel habits caused by exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Additionally, chronic pancreatitis is frequently complicated by secondary diabetes mellitus (type 3c diabetes) and a number of other conditions, including common bile duct stenosis and duodenal obstruction.