There are estimated to be between 24,000 and 45,000 cases of chronic pancreatitis in the UK with about 5,000 new cases each year. There are about 12,000 new cases of acute pancreatitis in the UK every year and almost 1,000 people will die from the disease. There are no drugs available to treat pancreatitis. Surgery, to remove the damaged parts of the pancreas, is often the only treatment option.

Pancreatitis is caused when the pancreas becomes inflamed and can lead to attacks of disabling abdominal pain. Vomiting is common and often, early signs of shock are seen. Large amounts of fluid may pour into the abdominal cavity which, when combined with the vomiting and poor intake of fluids, leave the circulation without enough blood to maintain normal blood pressure.

Core is currently funding one research project into pancreatitis and in recent years has funded two other projects.

Current:

Dr Rajarshi Mukherjee, Royal Liverpool University Hospital

Recent: 

Damian Mole, Queen's University, Belfast

John Murphy, Royal Liverpool University Hospital