PANCREAS

The pancreas is universally affected in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). The detection of an inflamed pancreas on the heel prick blood spot forms the foundation of newborn screening test for CF in Australia and many countries around the world.

The pancreas can be divided into the exocrine pancreas, which is responsible for producing digestive enzymes and large volumes of alkaline fluid for the small intestine required for normal digestive health, and the endocrine pancreas, which is responsible for sugar control.

People with CF either have pancreatic insufficiency (PI) or pancreatic sufficiency (PS). PI affects over 80% of the CF population, and is the result of severe blockages of the ducts in the pancreas and the subsequent scarring (fibrosis) and destruction of the exocrine pancreas.

Pancreatic insufficiency begins early in life for those who carry two severe CF mutations. People who are PI are unable to digest foods normally, which leads to malabsorption and malnutrition. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy is a prescription medicine for people with PI that helps improve digestion of foods.

People with CF who are PS do not typically have problems related to digestion of foods although this does not imply that their exocrine pancreas is unaffected. They are still at future risk of developing PI and therefore regular monitoring using a stool test (stool elastase) is recommended.

People with PS are also at risk of developing painful episodes of inflammation of the pancreas called “pancreatitis”. Pancreatitis can be extremely painful.

The endocrine pancreas when affected by CF, can lead to CF related diabetes (CFRD). Being PI and having severe inflammation of the exocrine pancreas at early life, increases the chances of later developing CFRD.

CFRD can affect nutrition and lung function. Diabetes is a crucial lifestyle obstacle for individuals who are living with CF because it affects so many areas of life simultaneously.

CF-related diabetes imposes further dietary restrictions and obligations whilst at the same time making healthy physical activity more difficult and taxing.

Tissue degeneration in major organ groups is also highly associated with CF-related diabetes and so is increased risk of anxiety and depression.

Fortunately CF-related diabetes has attracted a lot of research attention. New biotechnological improvements are becoming possible. These help to regulate blood sugar levels in the pancreas and monitor tissue damage.

Additional Resources

CF and the Pancreas

Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cystosis: 

Pancreatitis and pancreatic cystosis in CF – CF Journal

Pancreatic insufficiency in CF – CF Journal

Pancreas-on-a-chip expected to shed light, help find new treatments for CF-related diabetes – CF News Today

Pancreas abnormality increases risk of children with CF developing diabetes – CF News Today

How does CF affect the pancreas? – CF News Today

Bionic pancreas may be useful in managing blood sugar levels in adults with CFRD – CF News Today

Glucose abnormalities detected by continuous glucose monitoring are common in young children with CF – CF Journal

Can Lumacaftor-Ivacaftor treatment improve CF related diabetes – National Library of Medicine

Use of a mobile application for self-management of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy is associated with improved gastro-intestinal related quality of life in children with CF – CF Journal

CF related diabetes in Europe: Prevalence, risk factors and outcome – CF Journal

Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes – CF WA Fact Sheet

 

PI: 

Pancreatic insufficiency in CF – CF Journal 

 

 

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