Persistent enlargement of the pancreatic gland after glucocorticoid therapy increases the risk of relapse in IgG4-related autoimmune pancreatitis

This study aims to clarify the relationship between the changes of pancreatic size after glucocorticoid (GC) therapy and relapse in IgG4-related autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP).

We prospectively enrolled 205 newly diagnosed IgG4-related AIP patients. 145 patients were followed up for more than 3 years. These patients were divided into three groups according to the changes of pancreatic size after treatment of 6 months: pancreatic swelling, normal size, and pancreatic atrophy. Baseline clinical and laboratory parameters were compared among three groups. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was performed in the 134 patients based on GC therapy. Besides, Cox regression analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed to identify risk factors associated with relapse and the potential variables affecting changes of pancreatic size after treatment.

Age at diagnosis, white blood cell count, and serum IgG1 level at baseline were significantly different among the three groups. After treatment of 6 months, the pancreas of most patients (n = 81, 55.9%) could return to normal size, while persistent pancreatic swelling was found in 24.1% patients (n = 35), and atrophy was observed in 20.0% of the patients (n = 29). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis presented patients with pancreatic swelling after 6 months of GC therapy were more likely to relapse in the follow-up of 3 years. Persistent pancreatic swelling after treatment and salivary gland involvement at baseline were independent risk variables associated with relapse in IgG4-related AIP patients, while GC-based therapy was a protective factor of relapse. Logistic regression analysis revealed that older age at diagnosis was associated with pancreatic atrophy and higher baseline serum IgG1 level was associated with pancreatic swelling after treatment of 6 months.

Patients with persistent pancreatic swelling after GC-based therapy of 6 months were more likely to relapse in the follow-up of 3 years. Older age at diagnosis and higher baseline serum IgG1 level were potential variables associated with pancreatic atrophy or swelling after treatment of 6 months.