The Genetic Factors in Pancreatitis

Hereditary Pancreatitis

Hereditary pancreatitis is a rare, genetically inherited disorder that causes recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis. Symptoms include episodes of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Over time patients lose endocrine function, leading to diabetes and nutritional deficiencies. Hereditary pancreatitis tends to have an earlier onset than alcohol-related chronic pancreatitis, although diabetes and malabsorption tend to occur later in life. A progressive disease, hereditary pancreatitis can develop into chronic pancreatitis. People with hereditary pancreatitis also have a 40% lifetime risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

In families where unexplained pancreatitis affects two or more first-degree relatives (or three or more second-degree relatives) in at least two generations, but a genetic mutation has not been identified, the condition is called familial rather than hereditary pancreatitis.