Malnutrition, deficiency, and nutritional practice in patients with acute and chronic pancreatitis

Abstract

Pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas and it may occur in either acute or chronic form, the former being life-threatening in its most severe form, and the latter being a progressive, irreversible disease with gradual destruction of the pancreatic parenchyma and deterioration of pancreatic function. Both disease subgroups have different needs regarding nutritional intervention, as well as diverse research requirements. Owing to sizeable gaps in the literature, guidelines on the management of nutritional deficiency, exocrine/endocrine function and bone health are lacking in chronic pancreatitis. For acute pancreatitis, the research-base is more extensive however adherence to best practice is questionable.