Injury to Pancreas and Diabetes

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Injury to Pancreas and Diabetes

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Question:

Can an injury to the pancreas cause diabetes?

Answer:

In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin. This means you are not able to efficiently control your processing of glucose (sugar). In almost all cases, the damage to the pancreas that results in type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune process. That is to say, your own immune system harms cells in the pancreas.

It is rare to have type 1 diabetes from a physical injury to the pancreas, such as a blow to the abdomen. In some cases, trauma to the pancreas can trigger inflammation that can involve a fairly large area of the pancreas (pancreatitis). In a severe case of pancreatitis, in which most of the pancreas is destroyed from inflammation and scarring, diabetes can occur.

Mary Pickett, M.D., is a lecturer for Harvard Medical School and an assistant professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR. At OHSU, she practices general internal medicine and teaches medical residents and students.

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Last updated:	July 20, 2009

Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

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