Preventing disease relapses in autoimmune pancreatitis with maintenance steroids: are we there yet?

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a fibro-inflammatory disease, which has defining histopathology and is characterised by a dramatic response to steroid treatment.1 Type 1 AIP describes the pancreatic manifestation of a multiorgan syndrome, currently referred to as IgG4-related disease and is frequently associated with an elevated serum IgG4 antibody level.2 This is a chronic disease with relapses occurring in 30–50% of patients within 3 years of disease onset.3 4 Published data suggest that low-dose maintenance steroids may decrease the risk for future disease relapse; however, this has not been demonstrated in a prospective clinical trial.5 In the present study, Masamune et al6 present their findings from a randomised controlled trial (RCT) examining the efficacy of low-dose steroids for maintenance of disease remission. We discuss this article in the context of the existing literature and identify future opportunities to improve...
Source: Gut - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Tags: Commentary Source Type: research