Fatty Liver Disease and Its Relationship with Pancreatitis

Fatty liver disease itself does not typically lead to pancreatitis. However, certain related conditions, such as hyperlipidemia, can increase the risk of developing this serious condition. Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, has several known causes:

One of the most common causes is biliary tract disease, especially gallstones. In many cases, particularly in Asia, more than half of all pancreatitis cases are linked to gallbladder issues. This is because both the bile duct and pancreatic duct share a common opening into the duodenum, making it easier for blockages to occur.

Excessive alcohol consumption and overeating are also significant triggers. Chronic heavy drinking can cause repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis, which may eventually lead to chronic damage.

Another possible cause is duodenal reflux, where digestive juices from the small intestine flow back into the pancreatic duct. This backward flow can irritate and inflame the pancreas.

In addition to these, metabolic factors play a key role. For example, high triglyceride levels (hypertriglyceridemia) and elevated calcium levels (hypercalcemia) have been associated with pancreatitis. Other less common causes include medical procedures such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), certain medications like cytarabine, azathioprine, estrogen, and metronidazole, as well as physical trauma to the upper abdomen from accidents or surgery.

Understanding these various causes helps clarify that while fatty liver does not directly cause pancreatitis, other interrelated health issues can contribute to its development.