Risk factors

Factors that increase your risk of pancreatitis include:

• Excessive alcohol consumption. Research shows that heavy alcohol users (people who consume four to five drinks a day) are at increased risk of pancreatitis.
• Cigarette smoking. Smokers are on average three times more likely to develop chronic pancreatitis, compared with nonsmokers. The good news is quitting smoking decreases your risk by about half.
• Obesity. You're more likely to get pancreatitis if you're obese.
• Diabetes. Having diabetes increases your risk of pancreatitis.
• Family history of pancreatitis. The role of genetics is becoming increasingly recognized in chronic pancreatitis. If you have family members with the condition, your odds increase — especially when combined with other risk factors.