ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Autoimmune pancreatitis

What is autoimmune pancreatitis?

4 May 2021

It is a difficult disease to diagnose in which the immune system mistakenly begins to attack the pancreas, causing a chronic inflammatory process of the organ that can also affect the bile ducts, lymph nodes, salivary glands, and kidneys.

The exact cause of autoimmune pancreatitis is unknown, but people between 40 and 60 years old are more likely to develop it, as well as those who are at greater risk of suffering from inflammatory intestinal pathologies.

Autoimmune pancreatitis is classified as:

  • Type 1: usually affects the pancreas and other organs, especially in men 60 or older.
  • Type 2: only attacks the pancreas, although it is also related to inflammatory bowel disease. It usually occurs in women and men equally and at a younger age.

Signs and symptoms Autoimmune pancreatitis

It generally has no symptoms, but when they appear, they can be similar in both types:

  • Enlarged pancreas.
  • Sore abdomen.
  • Back pain.
  • Lack of appetite.
  • Extreme fatigue.
  • Pale or floating stools.
  • Jaundice.
  • Dark urine.
  • Nausea.
  • Weight loss.
  • Vomit.

The treatment of autoimmune pancreatitis type 1 and 2 is very different, so it is essential to have an accurate diagnosis that allows them to be distinguished and treated promptly since failure to do so can trigger various complications such as the formation of pancreatic stones or calcifications, diabetes, narrowing of the bile ducts and insufficient enzyme production.

Diagnosis and treatment Autoimmune pancreatitis

As autoimmune pancreatitis symptoms are similar to those of pancreatic cancer, your doctor, after analyzing your symptoms and clinical history, will request the following tests:

  • Blood tests.
  • Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.
  • Endoscopic ultrasounds.
  • MRI.
  • Computed tomography.
  • Pancreas biopsy.

Treatment will depend on your type of autoimmune pancreatitis but usually includes biliary stenting and long-term steroid use. Surgery may be necessary in severe cases.

In Saludora Medical Center Internal Medicine Department, we provide you with health care services with the highest quality and safety, from prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological conditions, both chronic-degenerative and acute, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments Autoimmune pancreatitis

Internal medicine
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • svpd.org
  • adam.com
  • elsevier.es
  • acmcb.es
  • topdoctors.es
  • mayoclinic.org
  • msdmanuals.com
  • medigraphic.com
  • Lara-Sánchez C, González-Gutiérrez JC, Lara-Sánchez H, et al. Pancreatitis autoinmunitaria tipo 1 en una paciente previamente diagnosticada con cáncer de páncreas. Med Int Mex. 2013;29(5):529-532.

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