Alcoholic chronic pancreatitis and alcoholic liver cirrhosis: differences in alcohol use habits and patterns in Indian subjects

Alcohol abuse is a risk factor for both liver cirrhosis and chronic pancreatitis. However, less than 15% of heavy drinkers develop these complications. Coexistence of cirrhosis and pancreatitis in the same patient is considered uncommon. We compared drinking patterns and related patient factors in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis and alcoholic chronic pancreatitis. A prospective evaluation of 307 patients (all men: 188 with alcoholic liver cirrhosis and 119 with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis) was conducted over a 7-year period using a detailed alcohol assessment proforma. Assessment of demographic features, diet, and other habits like tobacco smoking were recorded. Patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis were older. The mean ± SD age in alcoholic liver cirrhosis was 52.4 ± 9.16 years and 47.1 ± 9.78 years (P < 0.001) in alcoholic chronic pancreatitis. The mean ± SD age when they started drinking was similar in both groups (22.8 ± 5.32 years and 24.3 ± 6.94; P > 0.05). The mean ± SD duration of drinking was higher in the cirrhosis group (29.5 ± 10.25 years) than in the pancreatitis group (21.5 ± 9.61 years) (P < 0.001). Fifty-nine percent of cirrhosis and 75% of pancreatitis were heavy tobacco smokers (P = 0.004). There are distinct differences in drinking patterns and related patient factors between alcoholic liver cirrhosis and alcoholic chronic pancreatitis, suggesting the need to orient different interventional strategies.