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Alcohol consumption on pancreatic diseases
Marta Herreros-Villanueva1, Elizabeth Hijona, Jesus Maria Bañales
1Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Division of Oncology Research, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MA 55905, USA.
World Journal of Gastroenterology
|February 23, 2013
Summary
Heavy alcohol consumption significantly increases the risk of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer (PC). While chronic heavy drinking is a major cause of pancreatitis, its link to PC is less clear, with other factors also playing a role.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Epidemiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- The link between alcohol and pancreatic diseases is long-established but poorly defined.
- Epidemiology, beverage type, dose, and duration of alcohol consumption require further clarification regarding their impact on pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer (PC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology of alcohol-related pancreatic diseases.
- To understand the association between alcohol consumption (dose, type, frequency) and the risk of pancreatitis and PC.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of epidemiological studies on alcohol consumption and pancreatic diseases.
- Analysis of data on alcohol intake, pancreatitis incidence, and pancreatic cancer risk.
Main Results:
- High alcohol intake is associated with a higher risk of pancreatitis (2.5%-3% in heavy drinkers vs. 1.3% in non-drinkers).
- Approximately 70% of pancreatitis cases are linked to chronic heavy alcohol consumption, with risk increasing with dose (80-150 g/day for 10-15 years).
- The association between alcohol and PC is less clear; only chronic heavy drinking appears to increase risk, potentially contributing to 2-5% of PC cases in heavy drinkers.
Conclusions:
- Chronic heavy alcohol consumption is a significant risk factor for pancreatitis.
- The role of alcohol in pancreatic cancer (PC) is less defined, with low-to-moderate intake showing no clear association.
- Other factors like genetic variability, smoking, and diet likely interact with alcohol consumption to influence pancreatic disease risk.
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Assessment: