Corticosteroids increase secretin-stimulated pancreatic bicarbonate concentrations in autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) by restoring mislocalized CFTR protein to the apical ductal membrane.
Chronic pancreatitis characterized by an early onset should be extensively investigated including the search for a mutation of the PRSS1, SPINK-1 or CFTR genes and potential features of autoimmune pancreatitis.