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Physical activity for chronic pancreatitis: a systematic review
Brenda Monaghan1, Ann Monaghan1, David Mockler2
1Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland.
Summary
Physical activity may help chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients with sarcopenia. However, current evidence is insufficient, highlighting the need for more research on exercise interventions for CP.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Exercise Physiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is an inflammatory pancreatic disease often linked to sarcopenia, a loss of muscle mass and strength.
- Physical activity is known to mitigate sarcopenia in other chronic conditions.
- The role of exercise in managing CP and its complications requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review existing literature on physical activity interventions for patients with chronic pancreatitis.
- To assess the current evidence base for exercise as a management strategy in CP.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review adhering to PRISMA guidelines was conducted.
- Literature searches were performed across Embase, Medline, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases.
- Screening and selection of studies involved title review, full-text assessment, and data extraction.
Main Results:
- An initial search yielded 571 references, reduced to 420 after duplicate removal.
- Title screening excluded 390 irrelevant articles, leaving 30 for full-text review.
- Only one study met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review.
Conclusions:
- There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend specific physical activity guidelines for chronic pancreatitis patients.
- The review underscores the urgent need for research into the efficacy of physical activity interventions for CP.
- Further investigation is warranted to explore the benefits of exercise for managing sarcopenia and improving outcomes in CP.
