Alcoholic Pancreatitis: Who Gets Alcoholic Pancreatitis?

Alcoholic pancreatitis may not be caused simply by drinking to much alcohol for years like once thought. There may be underlying factors, like a DNA variant, present in those who suffer from alcoholic pancreatitis.

Over 100,000 Americans (didn't even think this many people had this condition) suffer from chronic pancreatitis and many cases are caused by abuse of alcohol but gallstones, medical procedures, heredity, prescription drugs, viruses, autoimmune disease and trauma also cause pancreatitis.

Doctors seem to think that only alcoholics get alcoholic pancreatitis and granted alcoholic pancreatitis is most often seen in those who abuse alcohol for years but ...

Research indicates it may also be due to genetics since only 3% of alcoholics develope chronic pancreatitis, suggesting a pancreas-specific risk factor.

In a study conducted over a 10 year period, involving over 2,000 patients all of whom underwent DNA testing researchers discovered that there was a common DNA variant on the X chromosome that is present in 26 percent of men without pancreatitis, but jumps to nearly 50 percent of men diagnosed with alcoholic pancreatitis. Women have two X chromosomes, so most women with the high-risk DNA variant on one X chromosome appear to be protected from alcoholic chronic pancreatitis by the other X chromosome, if it is normal. Men have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome, so if they inherit a high-risk X chromosome, there is no protection.

I find this fascinating but then I am easily entertained when it comes to weird stuff that most other people could care less about. In any event ...

IF you suffer from alcoholic pancreatitis it may not be just excessive drinking that is to blame. In fact according to the study one could have the DNA variant, be a causual drinker and end up with pancreatitis due to some other injury to the pancreas. Now ...

If you find this information regarding alcoholic pancreatitis fascinating as well you can continue to read more about this DNA variant connection here: Genetic Link Between Pancreatitis and Alcohol Consumption