Examine the connection among excess body weight and onset of pancreatitis, focusing on mechanisms by which surplus adipose tissue can cause pancreatic inflammation
1Dr Faryal Ashraf, 2Umar Shah, 3Javed Akhtar, 4Mohib Ali, Umari Amji, 6Dr. Waqar Azeem, 7Kashif Lodhi
1DHQ hospital Mirpur AJK
2PIMS Islamabad
3PIMS Islamabad
4PIMS Islamabad
5PIMS Islamabad
6Department of pathology Isra University Hyderabad, Pakistan
7Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences. Università Politécnica delle Marche Via Brecce Bianche 10, 60131 Ancona (AN) Italy
Vol: 14/02
Received: May 10, 2025 Accepted: July 21, 2025 Published: November 28, 2025
ABSTRACT:
Background: Pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition of pancreas with various etiologies, including alcohol consumption, gallstones, and certain medications. In recent years, excess body weight has emerged as a significant risk factor. The connection amongst excess adipose tissue and development of pancreatitis warrants comprehensive investigation to understand fundamental mechanisms and possible implications for prevention and treatment.
Aim: This study aimed to investigate the connection among excess body weight and onset of pancreatitis, having an emphasis on mechanisms by which excess adipose tissue might cause pancreatic inflammation.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was led involving 120 patients diagnosed with pancreatitis from March 2023 to February 2024. Patients were categorized created on their body mass index (BMI) into normal weight, overweight, and obese sets. Clinical data, including the severity of pancreatitis, laboratory results, and imaging findings, were collected and analyzed. Mechanistic insights were explored through the examination of adipokine levels and markers of inflammation in blood samples.
Results: The study found that overweight and obese patients had the suggestively higher incidence of pancreatitis compared to normal-weight individuals. Obese patients exhibited more severe forms of pancreatitis and longer hospital stays. Elevated levels of adipokines, like leptin and resistin, were observed in obese patients, correlating having enlarged markers of inflammation, like C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Imaging studies revealed increased fat deposition around the pancreas in overweight and obese individuals, which was associated with more pronounced inflammatory changes.
Conclusion: Excess body weight was found to be very substantial risk aspect for the development and severity of pancreatitis. The study highlighted the role of adipokines and systemic inflammation in mediating this relationship. Those results underscore status of weight management in preventing pancreatitis and mitigating its severity.Keywords: Pancreatitis, Excess body weight, Obesity, Adipokines, Inflammation, Adipose tissue, Pancreatic inflammation, Body mass index (BMI)