Question

Common cause of chronic pancreatitis:

• A. Chronic alcohol
• B. Chronic pancreatic calculi
• C. Pancreas divisum
• D. Gall bladder stones

Hint:

Gallstones cause acute pancreatitis; the leading cause of chronic pancreatitis is something you drink.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive inflammatory condition leading to irreversible destruction of pancreatic parenchyma, fibrosis and loss of both exocrine and endocrine function.
Step 2: The single most common aetiology worldwide is chronic alcohol consumption and abuse, which accounts for up to about 70% of cases. Alcohol promotes protein plug and calculus formation in the ducts and direct acinar toxicity.
Step 3: Pancreatic ductal calculi (b) are a consequence and complication of chronic pancreatitis rather than its commonest primary cause. Pancreas divisum (c) is a congenital anomaly that can predispose to pancreatitis in a minority of patients but is uncommon as a cause.
Step 4: Gallstones (d) are the classic cause of ACUTE pancreatitis, not the leading cause of CHRONIC pancreatitis. Therefore chronic alcohol is the correct answer.