Pancreatic steatosis is a risk factor for pancreatic cysts among patients with diabetes - UTU Research Portal

A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Pancreatic steatosis is a risk factor for pancreatic cysts among patients with diabetes

Authors: Käräjämäki, Aki J.; Johansson, Katarina; Laitinen, Aleksi; Häggblom, Jenny; Käräjämäki, Annemari; Tuomi, Tiinamaija

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Publication year: 2026

Journal: Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology

ISSN: 0036-5521

eISSN: 1502-7708

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00365521.2026.2632062

Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: No Open Access

Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel

Web address : https://doi.org/10.1080/00365521.2026.2632062

Abstract

Objectives

To investigate whether pancreatic steatosis is associated with the presence of pancreatic cysts among individuals with diabetes.

Material and Methods

158 individuals [mean age 66 ± 10 years, 81 (51%) female] with diabetes [135 (85%) had type 2 diabetes] participated in the study involving Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), blood tests and anthropometric measurements. Pancreatic steatosis was estimated qualitatively by a radiologist as well as using the pancreatic fat fraction.

Results

Of 158 study participants, 78 (49%) had pancreatic cysts. The individuals with pancreatic cysts were older than those without cysts (69 ± 7 years vs. 63 ± 12 years, p = 0.002). Compared to the individuals without pancreatic cysts, those with pancreatic cysts had more often pancreatic steatosis (46 (59%) vs. 31 (39%), p = 0.011) and a higher pancreatic fat fraction (13% ± 10% vs. 9% ± 8%, p = 0.021). Likewise, the Odds Ratio (OR) for the presence of pancreatic cysts was 1.043 [95% confidence interval 1.007–1.082, p = 0.020] for pancreatic fat fraction and 2.272 [1.202–4.297, p = 0.012] pancreatic steatosis. The statistically significant association remained even after correction for multiple possible confounding factors (OR 1.045 [1.003–1.089, p = 0.035], and OR 2.588 [1.182–5.667, p = 0.017], respectively).

Conclusions

Pancreatic steatosis and older age are independently associated with the presence of pancreatic cysts in patients with diabetes. Despite some potential mechanistic links, prospective studies are needed to examine the possible causality.

Funding information in the publication:
The Direva Study has been supported by the Vasa Hospital District, Ollqvist Foundation, State Research Funding via the Turku University Hospital, Vasa Central Hospital, Jakobstadsnejdens Heart Foundation, the Medical Foundation of Vaasa and the Finnish Medical Foundation. The study (TT) has also been supported by grants from the Folkhälsan Research Foundation, the Sigrid Juselius Foundation, The Academy of Finland, University of Helsinki, Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland, Finnish Diabetes Research Foundation, Foundation for Life and Health in Finland, Finnish Medical Society, Novonordisk Foundation, and State Research Funding via the Helsinki University Hospital. AK has received personal support by Vaasa Medical Foundation and Wellbeing Services Area of Osthrobotnia. KJ has received personal support by Finska Läkaresällskapet. AL has received personal support by Vaasa Medical Foundation, The Finnish Medical Foundation, Turunmaa Duodecim Foundation, Onni & Hilja Tuovinen Foundation, Jussi Lalli & Eeva Mariapori-Lalli Foundation and Kyllikki & Uolevi Lehikoinen Foundation.