Epidemiology of post-pancreatitis diabetes mellitus: insights from the COSMOS program

Abstract

Introduction: Post-pancreatitis diabetes mellitus (PPDM) has long been recognized as one of the most challenging sub-types of diabetes to manage. Part of the problem is that the earlier literature on epidemiology of PPDM was confusing because of the presence of selection bias.

Areas covered: A concerted series of population-based nationwide studies on PPDM from New Zealand has recently been published as part of the COSMOS (Clinical and epidemiOlogical inveStigations in Metabolism, nutritiOn, and pancreatic diseaseS) program and is the main focus of the present article.

Expert opinion: The foundational knowledge on epidemiology of PPDM generated by the COSMOS program is generalizable to the population at large. It brings the field closer to a comprehensive narrative of risk factors, burden, mortality, and morbidity outcomes of PPDM. In producing new knowledge on epidemiology of PPDM, it will be important to adhere to the guidelines on identification of PPDM in population-based datasets advanced in the present article.