Chronic Pancreatitis Epidemiology

• Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive fibroinflammatory condition marked by irreversible pancreatic damage, leading to exocrine and endocrine dysfunction. Fibrosis gradually replaces healthy pancreatic tissue, resulting in chronic abdominal pain, malabsorption, and diabetes mellitus.
• As the disease advances, symptoms can become debilitating and severely affect quality of life. Given its complex pathophysiology and variable presentation, early diagnosis and a comprehensive management strategy are crucial to improving long-term outcomes.
• Chronic pancreatitis can also result from deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins, low antioxidant levels, and exposure to radiation therapy. In adults, the condition is most commonly caused by alcohol use, while in children, it is primarily associated with genetic disorders particularly cystic fibrosis and anatomical abnormalities.
• According to the secondary research, chronic pancreatitis is more commonly seen in men, likely reflecting higher rates of alcohol consumption and smoking. The condition is typically diagnosed around the median age of 45.

DelveInsight’s “Chronic Pancreatitis– Epidemiology Forecast – 2034” report delivers an in-depth understanding of chronic pancreatitis, historical and forecasted epidemiology of chronic pancreatitis in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan.

Geography Covered

• The United States
• EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom
• Japan

Study Period: 2020–2034

Chronic Pancreatitis Understanding 

Chronic Pancreatitis Overview

Chronic pancreatitis is a long-term inflammatory condition that impairs both the exocrine and endocrine functions of the pancreas. Exocrine dysfunction, which arises when the gland is compromised, leads to pancreatic insufficiency, causing symptoms such as steatorrhea and unintended weight loss. In advanced stages, many patients may experience this insufficiency. Endocrine involvement results in pancreatogenic diabetes, also referred to as type 3c diabetes. Unlike acute pancreatitis, which presents with sudden, severe abdominal pain and neutrophilic inflammation, chronic pancreatitis may involve prolonged symptom-free periods or ongoing pain, with mononuclear cell infiltration seen histologically

Chronic Pancreatitis Diagnosis

Diagnosing chronic pancreatitis is often complex and involves a combination of clinical history, physical examination, lab testing, and imaging. Laboratory tests such as fecal fat analysis, and measurements of amylase, lipase, and trypsinogen help assess pancreatic function. Imaging techniques including X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans, and Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) are used to visualize structural changes, while advanced procedures like ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) provide detailed views of the pancreatic and biliary ducts.

Endoscopic methods, such as upper endoscopy and EUS, allow for direct visualization and tissue sampling, aiding in diagnosis and exclusion of malignancy. ERCP remains one of the most sensitive techniques for evaluating ductal abnormalities. A thorough review of patient symptoms, medical history, and targeted diagnostic tools is essential to confirm chronic pancreatitis and guide appropriate treatment.

Further details related to diagnosis are provided in the report…

Chronic Pancreatitis Epidemiology

For the purpose of designing the patient-based model for chronic pancreatitis, the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by prevalent cases of chronic pancreatitis, diagnosed prevalent cases of chronic pancreatitis, gender-specific cases of chronic pancreatitis, age-specific cases of chronic pancreatitis, etiology-specific cases of chronic pancreatitis and treated cases of chronic Pancreatitis in the 7MM covering the United States, EU4 countries (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan, from 2020 to 2034. 

• As per secondary analysis, the prevalence of chronic pancreatitis in the United States to be 73 per 100,000 with a peak of 135 per 100,000 for the 46–55-year age group.
• According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 2020 guidelines on pancreatitis, Western Europe reports approximately 5 new cases of chronic pancreatitis per 100,000 people annually.
• According to secondary research, in Japan, chronic pancreatitis primarily affects middle-aged to older men, with a male-to-female ratio of 4.3 and peak onset typically occurring in individuals in their 60s, regardless of gender. The condition is strongly linked to alcohol consumption, which is identified as the cause in 67.5% of all cases and 75.7% of cases among male patients.

KOL Views

To gaze into the epidemiology insights of the real world, we take KOLs and SMEs’ opinions working in the domain through primary research to fill the data gaps and validate our secondary research on disease prevalence. 

DelveInsight’s analysts connected with 20+ KOLs to gather insights; however, interviews were conducted with 10+ KOLs in the 7MM. Centers such as the Upstate University Hospital,US, University of Cologne, Germany, Universite Paris Cite, France, RCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Italy, Universitario de Santiago, Spain, University of Oxford, UK, South Miyagi Medical Center, Japan, and others were contacted. Their opinion helps understand and validate current disease prevalence, gender involved with the disease, diagnosis rate, and diagnostic criteria.

As per the KOLs from the US, repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis elevate the risk of progressing to chronic pancreatitis. While the initial one or two episodes seldom result in chronic disease, the probability increases significantly rising from 16% to as much as 50% after the third or fourth occurrence.

As per the KOLs from Germany, Diagnosing early-stage chronic pancreatitis is difficult due to subtle, nonspecific changes that can resemble other conditions. In advanced stages, the disease typically presents with varying degrees of pancreatic fibrosis and calcification; dilation, distortion, and narrowing of the pancreatic ducts; pseudocyst formation; strictures of the intrapancreatic bile duct; duodenal narrowing; and thrombosis of the superior mesenteric, portal, or splenic veins.

As per the KOLs from Japan, once chronic pancreatitis is fully developed, the disease is typically irreversible, though interventions can help slow its progression and alleviate symptoms. Unlike acute pancreatitis, where the pancreas usually returns to normal after an episode, chronic pancreatitis tends to persist. However, in some cases of severe acute pancreatitis with necrosis, long-term complications may occur and lead to chronic pancreatitis.

Scope of the Report

• The report covers a segment of executive summary, descriptive overview of chronic pancreatitis, explaining its causes, signs and symptoms, and currently available diagnostic algorithms and guidelines.
• Comprehensive insight has been provided into the epidemiology segments and forecasts, the future growth potential of diagnosis rate, disease progression, and diagnosis guidelines.
• The report provides an edge for understanding trends, expert insights/KOL views, and patient journeys in the 7MM.
• A detailed review of current challenges in establishing the diagnosis.

Chronic Pancreatitis Report Insights

• Patient Population
• Country-wise Epidemiology Distribution
• Prevalent Cases of Chronic Pancreatitis
• Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Chronic Pancreatitis
• Gender-specific Cases of Chronic Pancreatitis
• Age-specific Cases of Chronic Pancreatitis
• Etiology-specific Cases of Chronic Pancreatitis 
• Treated Cases of Chronic Pancreatitis

Chronic Pancreatitis Report Key Strengths

• 10 years Forecast
• The 7MM Coverage 
• Chronic Pancreatitis Epidemiology Segmentation

Chronic Pancreatitis Report Assessment

• Current Diagnostic Practices Patient Segmentation

Epidemiology Insights

• What are the disease risk, burdens, and unmet needs of chronic pancreatitis? What will be the growth opportunities across the 7MM concerning the patient population of chronic pancreatitis?
• What is the historical and forecasted chronic pancreatitis patient pool in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan?
• Why is the diagnosed prevalent cases of chronic pancreatitis in Japan lower than the US?
• Which country has a high patient share for chronic pancreatitis?

Reasons to Buy

• Insights on patient burden/disease, evolution in diagnosis, and factors contributing to the change in the epidemiology of the disease during the forecast years.
• To understand the chronic pancreatitis prevalent cases in varying geographies over the coming years.
• A detailed overview of prevalent cases of chronic pancreatitis, diagnosed prevalent cases of chronic pancreatitis, gender-specific cases of chronic pancreatitis, age-specific cases of chronic pancreatitis, etiology-specific cases of chronic pancreatitis and treated cases of chronic Pancreatitis. 
• To understand the perspective of key opinion leaders around the current challenges with establishing the diagnosis options.
• Detailed insights on various factors hampering disease diagnosis and other existing diagnostic challenges.