title: Is Post-ERCP Pancreatitis a Genetically Predisposed Complication?
abstract: Background/Objectives. Pancreatitis remains the most common complication of ERCP. History of post-ERCP pancreatitis is an independent risk factor for a new episode, suggesting a genetic background. The N34S mutation in serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1 (SPINK 1) gene may downregulate the threshold for the development of pancreatitis. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the presence of this mutation among patients with post-ERCP pancreatitis. Methods. During a period of four years, thirty patients with post-ERCP pancreatitis entered the study. Patients and procedural data were collected, focusing on risk factors for pancreatitis. Blood samples were taken for genetic testing for the presence of N34S mutation in SPINK 1 gene. After DNA extraction, we used an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction as an initial screening method for the N34S mutation, and in order to confirm the results and to determine the hetero- and homozygosity genotype status, we used a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Results. None of the thirty patients was found to carry the N34S mutation, with both of the applied methods. Patients had an average of two of the known risk factors. Conclusion. SPINK1 N34S mutation does not seem to play a role in post-ERCP pancreatitis, but larger studies needed to confirm our results.
authors.affiliation: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Unit, Democritus University of Thrace, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, 68100 Dragana, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mystakidis
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kouklakis
authors.forename: Androniki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papoutsi
authors.forename: Vasilios D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Souftas
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Efremidou
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kapetanos
authors.forename: Michail
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pitiakoudis
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lyratzopoulos
authors.forename: Anastasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karagiannakis
authors.forename: Alexandros
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pantelios