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Autoimmune pancreatitis successfully treated with ursodeoxycholic acid
Kazumi Tsubakio1, Kazuo Kiriyama, Nobuyoshi Matsushima
1Department of Internal Medicine, Ashiya Municipal Hospital, Hyogo.
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|January 11, 2003
Summary
Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) offers a potential alternative treatment for autoimmune pancreatitis, improving liver dysfunction and diabetes. This approach may be beneficial when steroid therapy is not suitable.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the pancreas.
- It often presents with symptoms of biliary obstruction, liver dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus.
- Diagnosis typically involves imaging, serological markers (e.g., anti-carbonic anhydrase-II, anti-lactoferrin antibodies), and histology.
Observation:
- A 51-year-old woman with AIP experienced epigastric discomfort, cholestatic liver dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus.
- Imaging showed pancreatic swelling and ductal strictures.
- Histology revealed pancreatic fibrosis with mild inflammation.
Findings:
- Treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) led to improvement in liver function and diabetes.
- Pancreatic size was reduced following UDCA therapy.
- The patient had positive autoantibodies, supporting an autoimmune etiology.
Implications:
- Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) presents a viable alternative treatment option for autoimmune pancreatitis.
- UDCA may be considered for patients who cannot tolerate or do not respond to standard steroid therapy.
- This case highlights the potential of UDCA in managing AIP-associated complications.