Pancreatic Diabetes Mellitus and Heavy Drinking are Risk Factors for the Development of Liver Fibrosis in Alcoholic Chronic Pancreatitis

Abstract

Objective: The coincidence of chronic pancreatitis and liver cirrhosis in alcoholic patients is comparatively rare. Our aim was to assess liver fibrosis in patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (ACP) by measuring noninvasive fibrosis scores and liver stiffness. Methods: Fifty-five patients with ACP were enrolled in the study. Eight healthy volunteers served as controls. Noninvasive fibrosis scoring systems, including the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4), were determined and transient elastography (TE) was performed. Results: Mild (F1 or F2) and severe (F3 or F4) fibrosis was revealed by TE in 15 and 6 patients (38.2%), respectively. However, the levels of the liver enzymes were elevated in only 12 patients. The APRI and FIB-4 scores jointly revealed fibrosis of the liver in two patient. ACP patients with liver fibrosis drank significantly more amount of alcohol and had diabetes more frequently than ACP patients without liver fibrosis. Conclusion: Liver fibrosis was revealed by TE in one-fourth of the ACP patients. Liver enzymes are not reliable parameters with which to diagnose liver fibrosis. The quantity of consumed alcohol and the presence of DM are risk factors for the development of liver fibrosis in ACP.