Cigarette Smoking Is Independently Associated with Chronic Pancreatitis

Background and Aims: It is not completely understood whether smoking contributes to chronic pancreatitis (CP). Past studies have included mostly patients with alcohol-related and severe CP. Our aim was to assess the relationship of smoking and CP adjusting for alcohol and other clinical riskfactors. Methods: Across-sectional study was performed of patients referred to the pancreatic disease clinic in the past 2 years with abdominal pain and suspected CP. Patients were questioned on their smoking and alcohol habits. Patients underwentan etiological workupand diagnostic evaluation for early and late CP comprised of computed tomography scan and combined endoscopic ultrasound and secretin endoscopic pancreaticfunction test if indicated. Logistic regression was used to determine the association of current smoking with CP adjusting for other riskfactors. Results: The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for current smoking was 1.99 (95% CI 1.01, 3.91). Other significant predictors included Presented atthe Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course of the American College of Gastroenterology, Orlando, Fla., 2008. Tyler Stevens, MD, has received a research grant for an investigator-initiated study from Solvay Pharmaceuticals. consumption of ≥10 alcohol drinks/week, advancing age, history of acute pancreatitis, and the presence of another etiological factor. Smoking was also independently associated with exocrine insufficiency (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.07, 3.75) and calcifications (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.03, 6.94). Conclusion: Active cigarette smoking is associated with CP adjusting for alcohol and other riskfactors.