Anish Kirpalani MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Nishigandha Prabhakar Burute MBBS, MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Errol Colak MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Rosane Nisenbaum, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Shalini Anthwal, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Arash Mirrahimi, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

David Jenkins, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Pancreas volume (PV) is reduced in Type I and Type II diabetes. It is also known to reduce gradually with increasing age. We aimed to assess the effect of age on Type II diabetes (T2DM) related pancreatic atrophy, using MRI-based planimetry.

Our institutional review board granted approval of this retrospective study with a waiver for informed consent. Pancreas contours were traced in consecutive MRIs for 32 patients with Type II DM and 50 normoglycemic patients using manual MRI based planimetry on non-gadolinium T1W 3D fat suppressed gradient echo images. Volumes were calculated using standard post-processing software. The effect of age on pancreas volume was assessed separately for the Type II DM and normoglycemic cohorts. Patients were further divided into younger (55 years and younger) and older (greater than 55 years) cohorts and pancreas volumes between Type II diabetics and normoglycemics were compared separately for both cohorts.

In the Type II DM cohort, pancreas volume significantly decreased with age (p=0.004), while in the normoglycemic cohort, volume was not significantly associated with age (p=0.23). Pancreas volume in diabetic and normoglycemic patients was significantly different for patients age>55 years (mean 65.38 vs. 96.39 respectively, p<0.001) but was not significantly different for patients 55 years or younger (mean 81.04 vs. 86.85, p=0.332).

Type II diabetes related pancreatic atrophy is more pronounced in older age groups. Age has a significant additive effect on diabetes related pancreatic atrophy.

Age has an additive effect on diabetes related pancreatic atrophy, older diabetics may thus be at an increased risk of pancreatic insufficiency from diabetics. Quantifying the extent of pancreatic atrophy by pancreas volume measurements in this subset may help titrate pharmacological interventions in these patients.  

Kirpalani, A, Burute, N, Colak, E, Nisenbaum, R, Anthwal, S, Mirrahimi, A, Jenkins, D, Age Has an Additive Effect on Diabetes Related Pancreatic Atrophy.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14015701.html