Are mutations in the cystic fibrosis gene important in chronic pancreatitis?

The leading causes of chronic pancreatitis are alcohol and idiopathic pancr eatitis. The importance of genetic factors in chronic pancreatitis has been uncertain. Recently, however, it was learned that many patients with idiop athic chronic pancreatitis have mutations of the cystic fibrosis gene, This article reviews the evidence that links mutations of this gene to unexplai ned pancreatitis, and discusses the implications of this for the evaluation , pathogenesis, classification, and possible prevention of pancreatitis.