Impact of pancreatic fat on the risk of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis

Background and study aims Fatty pancreas is a potential risk factor for acute pancreatitis; however, whether it is also a risk factor for post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP) has not been evaluated. We aimed to determine the impact of fatty pancreas on the development of PEP. Methods We analyzed the data of patients who underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan and sequential therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Fatty change in the pancreas was evaluated based on pancreatic attenuation of unenhanced image on CT scan. The risk of fatty pancreas for the development of PEP was evaluated using a logistic regression model. Results Of a total of 858 patients included in the study, 354 (41.3%) had fatty pancreas, while 504 (58.7%) did not have fatty pancreas. PEP developed in 28 patients (7.9%) in the fatty pancreas group and in 13 patients (2.6%) in the no fatty pancreas group. Fatty pancreas was significantly associated with the development of PEP (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval [CI]] 2.38 [1.16-4.87]). A history of acute pancreatitis, female sex, difficult cannulation, and endoscopic papillary balloon dilation were also risk factors for the development of PEP. The risk for moderate-to-severe PEP development tended to be higher in the fatty pancreas group than in the no fatty pancreas group (OR [95% CI] 5.61 [0.63-49.62]). Conclusions Fatty pancreas is a significant risk factor for the development of PEP. Clinicians need to be aware of the risk of fatty pancreas for the development of PEP prior to performing ERCP.