By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun, 16 Apr: A landmark research paper titled “Demographic Pattern of Pancreatitis Patients in India – A Hospital-based Study”, recently published in the Journal of Epidemiology Foundation of India, offers fresh insights into the evolving nature and prevalence of pancreatitis in the country.
Based on data from 2,050 patients treated between January 1997 and November 2024 at leading hospitals across India, the study analyses key aspects such as age, gender, region, diet, and lifestyle.
Key Findings:
• 83% of the patients were male, with an average age of 24 years.
• 75% of the cases were within the 19–45 age group, indicating the growing prevalence of the disease among young adults.
• Only 33.6% of patients reported alcohol use, and 18.4% used tobacco—highlighting the presence of other contributing factors.
• Hereditary pancreatitis was noted in 8.8% of cases, while gallstones accounted for 5%.
The study underscores that the nature of pancreatitis in India is rapidly changing. It is no longer a disease associated primarily with alcohol or tobacco; genetic, regional, and lifestyle-related factors play a significant role. Among young patients, factors such as irregular sleep cycles, skipping breakfast, poor nutrition, anaemia, and excessive exercise were found to be prevalent contributors.
The data for this study was collected at Padaav Specialty Ayurvedic Treatment Centre in Gadarpur, Uttarakhand, founded by Padma Shri awardee Vaidya Balendu Prakash. Padaav has been focused on treating pancreatitis for over two decades and has successfully treated more than 2,000 patients using a unique Ayurvedic protocol. The treatment begins with a 21-day indoor programme under medical supervision, followed by a year-long regimen that includes Ayurvedic medicines, a specific diet, and lifestyle modifications aimed at preventing recurrence and managing symptoms. The main Ayurvedic formulations used in this protocol received an Indian patent in 2024.
Researchers have recommended that larger-scale studies are needed to better understand this growing health challenge and to guide prevention and awareness programs.
Pancreatitis refers to inflammation of the pancreas, a six-inch gland located behind the stomach. The first case of pancreatitis in India was reported in 1937. Once considered rare, the disease has now spread across all regions of the country. While alcohol is commonly cited as a cause, modern medicine has yet to fully clarify the etymology of the condition or offer a definitive cure. Common symptoms include sudden and severe abdominal pain, vomiting, weight loss, and uncontrolled blood sugar levels.
