Fatty Pancreas; Is It Related to Diabetes Mellitus, Acute Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer

Abstract

Background: The accumulation of fat in the pancreas has greater clinical significance. It is unclear, though, how much the intermediate variables influence the fat deposition in these depots. This study aimed to determine the relation of pancreatic steatosis to Diabetes  Mellitus, Acute Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer.

Methods: This case-control study was conducted on fifty patients for pancreatic  diseases in internal medicine department at Zagazig University Hospitals, equally divided into five groups; group I: 10 cases as a control  group, group II: with fatty pancreas (FP), group III: with acute pancreatitis (AP), group IV: with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and case group V:  with pancreatic cancer (PC). Patients were subjected to full medical history, physical examination, laboratory investigations, and non- contrast Computed Tomography (CT).

Results: Age and males were significant increased in group V (PValue= 0.003 and P=0.019  respectively). Body Mass Index (BMI) (P=0.001) and females (P=0.006) were higher among fatty pancreas patients. Pancreatic steatosis  diagnosed by CT in FP representing 100%, in acute pancreatitis 60%, DM 80% and PC 70% of patients, and it was worse in FP group as 40%  ware grade 4 (P <0.001). Fatty liver diagnosed by CT in 100% of FP patients, 70% in AP and DM groups and 60% in PC group and was  worse in FP group as 80% grade 3 (P <0.001). grades of fatty liver and Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol significantly  independently associated with fatty pancreas (P<0.001). High lipids, diabetes and grades of fatty liver were significantly associated with  fatty pancreas (P<0.001) and LDL and fatty liver are independent risk factors (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Pancreatic steatosis is highly related  to Diabetes Mellitus, Acute Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer.