An Association of Autoimmune Pancreatitis and Allergic Disorders: A Possible Overlap Syndrome

Abstract

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a rare and distinct form of chronic pancreatitis, characterized by unique clinical, radiological, and histopathological features. Its prevalence is 2–4 per 100,000, with up to 40% of patients showing eosinophilia or other allergic manifestations (1). The association between AIP and allergic disorders accompanied by pancreatic eosinophilia is rare and poorly characterized, with few documented cases in the literature, making its recognition particularly challenging. We describe a case of AIP in a 65-year-old woman with asthma, diabetes, and chronic renal insufficiency. The patient presented with symptoms mimicking pancreatic malignancy, but further investigations revealed AIP with significant peripheral and tissue eosinophilia. She demonstrated marked clinical and radiological improvement following corticosteroid therapy, with rapid resolution of symptoms and normalization of eosinophil counts within 10 days, and remained in remission during a 6-month follow-up. This case highlights the rare overlap between AIP and eosinophilic disorders, suggesting a possible link with allergic conditions that deserves further study