Re: Autoimmune Pancreatitis?

January 24, 2005

Hi Kim,

I do not have AIP but I have just recently spent some time

downloading and reading about it in connection with a part of my

professinal interest. From what I have read, it is a relatively

" new " disease in that many docs previously thought that it does

not exist or if it does, that it is just a part of a generalized

auto-immune systemic disease. It seems to be associated with

Crohn's or other IBDs, with Sjogren's syndrome, a type of

primary sclerosing cholangitis (a type of liver disease), SLE,

hashimoto's thyroiditis, etc; with Sjogren's being the most

commonly associated autoimmune disease. In addition, it is

thought that a person can have AIP by itself, but if so, this is not

clear yet.......In addition, Type 2 and maybe even Type 1 diabetes

is associated with it. From what I understand, AIP can be

diagnosed by imaging (US and / or CT) and laboratory tests. It

seems to have a fairly distinct appearance on pancreas US or

CT known as " sausage-like " pancreas. Lab finding may include

the presence of autoantibodies and / or high levels of IgG. It

usually responds well to steroid therapy...and this can be fairly

diagnostic too.

It is considered to be a rare disease that occurs in both sexes,

but is found predominately in males. Age ranges from <20 to 70

with the mean being 50 years. The article reports that the

majority of patients report with obstructive jaundice (70 to 80%)

and is often misdiagnosed as pancreatic carcinoma because of

the presentation, age and imaging findings. Other common

symptoms are abdominal pain / discomfort of variable

duration...some people may be pain free....only a few have acute

attacks that are more typical of pancreatitis. I/3 of patients lose

weight....

This information was taken from:

Autoimmune Pancreatitis: Pathological, Clinical and

Immunological Features. Pancreas Vol 27 No 1. 2003. Gunter

Kloppel, et al.

Hope this helps a little.......for some basic background

information. Now, hopefully, someone can fill us in on the

practical information that is not covered by " theory " .

Laurie

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