Association and differential role of PRSS1 and SPINK1 mutation in early-onset and late-onset idiopathic chronic pancreatitis in Chinese subjects: Table 1

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) may be associated with genetic susceptibility. We read with interest the article by Mahurkar et al ( Gut 2006; 55 :1270–5) which described the role of pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (SPINK1) gene mutation and cathepsin B gene polymorphisms in tropical calcific pancreatitis. Mutations in the cationic trypsinogen gene (PRSS1) and SPINK1 gene have been reported to be associated with different types of pancreatitis.1 However, controversial data also exist.2 The discordant observations demonstrate that the role of the PRSS1/SPINK1 mutation might differ in distinct types of CP or different ethnic populations.3 4 The genetic basis of pancreatitis of PRSS1 and SPINK1 genes in Chinese patients has rarely been explored. We undertook a study with idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (ICP) to determine whether PRSS1 and SPINK1 mutations are associated with ICP in Chinese patients and to analyse the genotype–phenotype correlation in the ICP subgroups …