Exploring Link Between Gut Microbiota and Pancreatitis: A Systematic Review

China: A comprehensive and systematic study published in Apollo Medicine has provided strong evidence supporting the complex relationship between pancreatitis and the microbiota.

The human gastrointestinal tract is home to a vast and diverse microbial community, comprising over 10 bacteria and containing more than 5 million genes.

The study led by Xu Zhang, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University et. al. aims to systematically review human research to explore the relationship between gut microbiota and pancreatic disorders.

For this study, relevant research from 2011 to 2022 was systematically compiled through an extensive search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. The initial search results, encompassing all identified studies, underwent a detailed examination, including a thorough review of their reference lists to ensure a comprehensive search. The initial search yielded 114 items, but 58 duplicate articles were subsequently removed. A meticulous screening process, which involved assessing titles, abstracts, and keywords, led to 36 studies advancing to the next phase of evaluation. However, further scrutiny resulted in the exclusion of 11 studies classified as reviews or case reports, 5 non-English publications, and 20 that did not focus on the microbiome. Ultimately, a refined set of 20 papers was selected for in-depth eligibility evaluation.

The key points of the study were as follows:

• Nearly half of the patients in the study were men, with an average age of 52 years (interquartile range: 44-56).
• The interquartile range for the age distribution within the group varied from 45% to 52%.
• Among the studies on acute pancreatitis, gallstones were identified as the leading cause in 9 out of 15 cases.
• In contrast, 7 studies focusing on chronic pancreatitis found no evidence of gallstones as a contributing factor.

The investigation concluded that this comprehensive, systematic study has provided strong evidence supporting the intricate link between pancreatitis and the microbiota. Despite the significant progress achieved, the evolving nature of this field necessitates future advancements with standardized methodologies, larger sample sizes, and more rigorously controlled interventions. Adopting these improvements is essential to further understanding the complex relationship between gut microbiota and pancreatic health, ultimately enhancing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for pancreatic diseases. 

Reference

Zhang X, Armel TT, Tyagi G. Relationship Between Gut Microbiota and Pancreatitis: A Systematic Review. Apollo Medicine. 2024;0(0). doi:10.1177/09760016241262194