Title:Non-Alcoholic Fatty Pancreas Disease: The Unsung Disease
Volume: 23
Issue: 4
Author(s): Burak C. Sevim, Harleen Chela, Hamza Ertugrul, Lyiba S. Malik, Suha Malik, Omer Basar, Ebubekir Daglilar, Sami Samiullah, Ayman H. Gaballah and Veysel Tahan*
Affiliation:
- Department of
Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
Keywords:
Pancreatic cancer, fatty, pancreas, NAFPD, steatopancreatitis, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Abstract: Non-alcoholic fatty pancreas disease (NAFPD) is a relatively new and emerging
disease that is increasingly diagnosed yearly, like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
(NAFLD). It is associated especially with metabolic syndrome and obesity. As awareness
of pancreatic steatosis and its clinical implications increase, it is diagnosed more frequently.
The researchers have explained the clinical importance of NAFPD and the diseases it
causes, such as pancreatitis, pancreatic insufficiency, and pancreatic cancer. Although the
definitive treatment is not yet established, the primary treatment approach is weight loss
since NAFPD is associated with metabolic syndrome as well as obesity. Although
pharmacological agents, such as oral hypoglycemic agents, have been investigated in
animal experiments, studies on humans have not been conducted. Since the research on
NAFPD is still insufficient, it is a subject that needs to be investigated, and further studies
are needed to explore its pathophysiology, clinical impact, and its management.
