Liver enzymes are not reliable parameters to reveal liver fibrosis in chronic Pancreatitis

Introduction: The coincidence of chronic pancreatitis and liver cirrhosis in alcoholic patients is rare. Aims: To assess liver fibrosis in patients with chronic pancreatitis by measuring non-invasive fibrosis scores and liver stiffness. Methods: Twenty five patients with chronic pancreatitis were enrolled in the study. Eight volunteers were recruited to serve as controls. Non-invasive fibrosis scoring systems including aspartate aminotranspherase to platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) score were determined and transient elastography was performed. Results: Transient elastography was successful in all but one patients (16 male and 9 female, mean age 59.41 ± 13 years). Mild and severe fibrosis was revealed in 5 and 2 patients by elastography, respectively. However the liver enzymes were elevated only in 3 patients The values of APRI, FIB-4 and NFALD scores did not revealed fibrosis of the liver in any patients. The duration of chronic pancreatitis was longer (10.57 ± 5 vs. 8.05 ± 4 years), the presence of diabetes mellitus was higher (57.14% vs. 17.64%) and regular alcohol consumption occurred more frequently (42.85% vs. 23.52%) in chronic pancreatitis patients with liver fibrosis than without liver fibrosis, respectively. There was no correlation between metavir stages and the incidence of pancreatic surgery. Conclusions: Liver fibrosis occurs in a small proportion of chronic pancreatitis patients. Liver enzymes are not reliable parameters to reveal liver fibrosis. Alcohol consumption, the duration of chronic pancreatitis and the presence of DM are the risks factors for the development of liver fibrosis.