Clinical diagnostic criteria of autoimmune pancreatitis: revised proposal



# Introduction
In 1961, Sarles et al. [bib_ref] Chronic inflammatory sclerosis of the pancreas-an autoimmune pancreatic disease?, Sarles [/bib_ref] asked the following question regarding the particular cases of pancreatitis with hypergammaglobulinemia: "Chronic inflammatory sclerosis of the pancreas-an autoimmune pancreatic disease?" As similar cases were rarely observed, a relationship between such pancreatitis and autoimmunity was viewed skeptically during the following several decades. In 1992, Toki et al. [bib_ref] An unusual type of chronic pancreatitis showing diffuse irregular narrowing of the..., Toki [/bib_ref] have reported 4 cases with unusual diffuse irregular narrowing of the main pancre-concept of AIP has changed slightly to include extrapancreatic lesions and associated disorders, which suggests that the current diagnostic criteria are becoming inadequate.
In 2003, the Research Committee of Intractable Diseases of the Pancreas, supported by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Chairman, M. Otsuki), began to review the current diagnostic criteria in light of recently acquired information and knowledge. The team organized a working group (WG), consisting of the team members and researchers specializing in autoimmune pancreatitis, to develop a proposal for the revision of the current diagnostic criteria. This report describes the background of the proposed amendments and the final proposal for the revised version of the clinical diagnostic criteria of AIP. shows the diagnostic criteria 2002 of AIP proposed by the Japan Pancreas Society.The members of the WG accumulated 147 cases of AIP and identified the cases that did not fulfill the current diagnostic criteria but were strongly suspected to be AIP. It then evaluated those cases in detail using imaging, laboratory, and pathological findings, and unanimously rediagnosed some of them as AIP. Using the analyzed data, the members then summarized the current status and problems of AIP in Japan, as outlined below. After reviewing the material in an expanded open discussion in October 2004 in Fukuoka City, the Research Committee of Intractable Diseases of the Pancreas amended the current diagnostic criteria for AIP. Major discussions in this open meeting are summarized below. . Diagnostic criteria 2002 of autoimmune pancreatitis by the Japan Pancreas Society 1. Diffuse or segmental narrowing of the main pancreatic duct with irregular wall (more than 1/3 length of the entire pancreas) and diffuse or localized enlargement of the pancreas by imaging studies 2. High serum -globulin and/or IgG, or the presence of autoantibodies, such as antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor 3. Marked interlobular fibrosis and prominent infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells in the periductal area, occasionally with lymphoid follicles, in the pancreas For diagnosis, criterion 1 must be present together with criterion 2 and/or 3 Concept and definition of AIP 1. The following extrapancreatic lesions may be associated with AIP: biliary lesions, sialadenitis, retroperitoneal fibrosis, enlarged celiac and hilar lymph nodes, chronic thyroiditis, and interstitial nephritis [bib_ref] Clinicopathological features of autoimmune pancreatitis in relation to elevation of serum IgG4, Kamisawa [/bib_ref] [bib_ref] Extrapancreatic lesions in autoimmune pancreatitis, Kamisawa [/bib_ref] [bib_ref] Systemic extrapancreatic lesions associated with autoimmune pancreatitis, Ohara [/bib_ref] [bib_ref] Clinical differences between primary sclerosing cholangitis and sclerosing cholangitis with autoimmune pancreatitis, Nakazawa [/bib_ref] [bib_ref] Immunoglobulin G4-related lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing cholangitis that mimics infiltrating hilar cholangiocarcinoma: part of..., Hamano [/bib_ref] [bib_ref] Autoimmune pancreatitis, Okazaki [/bib_ref] [fig_ref] Table 2: Clinicopathological features of autoimmune pancreatitis [/fig_ref]. AIP may be a systemic disorder. 2. Sclerosing cholangitis associated with AIP is different from primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), because of its effective response to steroid therapy and of the presence of IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration. 9-14 3. Sialadenitis coexisting with AIP is negative for both anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies and shows IgG4positive plasma cell infiltration, suggesting that it is different from typical Sjogren's syndrome but is similar to the sclerosing sialadenitis observed in Mikulicz's disease and Kuttner's tumor. 9,10,14 4. In Western countries, ulcerative colitis and the formation of tumors associated with pancreatic lesions are more frequently observed than in Japan. [bib_ref] Controversies in clinical pancreatology: autoimmune pancreatitis: does it exist?, Pearson [/bib_ref] Moreover, pancreatic duct lesions with infiltration of leukocytes as well as LPSP are sometimes observed in Western countries [bib_ref] Idiopathic chronic pancreatitis with periductal lymphoplasmacytic infiltration: clinicopathologic features of 35 cases, Notohara [/bib_ref] [bib_ref] Histopathological features of diagnostic and clinical relevance in autoimmune pancreatitis: a study..., Zamboni [/bib_ref] but not in Japan. These findings may thus be somewhat contrary to the definition and concept of the disease adopted in Japan. 5. The biggest problem in diagnosing AIP is how to distinguish it from pancreatic or biliary cancer. With the current diagnostic criteria for AIP, many cases that seem to be AIP are excluded, as the criteria were established to rule out false positive cases but to confidently diagnose definite cases of AIP. [bib_ref] Controversies in clinical pancreatology: autoimmune pancreatitis: does it exist?, Pearson [/bib_ref] [bib_ref] Autoimmune pancreatitis, Okazaki [/bib_ref] Image findings 1. Some cases are consistent with the hematological and histopathological findings of AIP, even though the pancreatic image data show that the lesions are localized to less than one-third of the pancreas. . The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The ROC curves for the 147 cases of AIP and 180 cases of control diseases, the cutoff value for the serum IgG4 was determined to be 128 mg/dl cells, and obliterative phlebitis. In lymphocyte infiltration, T cells are often predominant, and plasma cells are IgG4-positive. [bib_ref] Autoimmune pancreatitis, Okazaki [/bib_ref] 2. European and U.S. reports of the destruction of the pancreatic duct epithelium in the presence of predominant neutrophils (idiopathic ductcentric chronic pancreatitis 17 or granulocyte epithelial lesion [bib_ref] Histopathological features of diagnostic and clinical relevance in autoimmune pancreatitis: a study..., Zamboni [/bib_ref] have not been confirmed in Japan owing to insufficient study and will be a topic of further study. 3. Pathologically, extrapancreatic lesions are similar to the fibrosis and the lymphoplasmacytic infiltration seen in the pancreatic lesions.

## Background of the amendment of the diagnostic criteria proposed by the working group of the research committee of intractable diseases of the pancreas

## Prognosis
1. Some patients with AIP form pancreatic stones, and the long-term prognosis of AIP is still unclear. 14

## Final revision based on the discussion in the open forums
In two recently held open forums, the committee members vigorously exchanged opinions about the amendments proposed by the Research Committee of Intractable Diseases of the Pancreas, and unanimously agreed to the finalized amendments [fig_ref] Table 3: Clinical Diagnostic Criteria of Autoimmune Pancreatitis [/fig_ref]. The medical treatment guidelines in the current diagnostic criteria have been deleted from the proposed amendments. Those issues that were discussed in the open forums but not included in the proposed amendments are noted below as topics for future consideration.
1. Cases of AIP reported from Western countries are more often associated with ulcerative colitis and the formation of tumors compared with Japanese cases; these associations are somewhat contrary to the definition and concept of the disease adopted in It is suspected that the pathogenesis of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) involves autoimmune mechanisms. Currently, the main characteristic findings of observed cases of AIP are the diffuse enlargement of the pancreas and the narrowing of the pancreatic duct, associated with findings suggestive of the involvement of autoimmune mechanisms such as increased levels of -globulin and IgG, the presence of autoantibodies, and an effective response to steroid therapy. In some cases, AIP shows extrapancreatic manifestations such as sclerosing cholangitis, sclerosing sialadenitis, and retroperitoneal fibrosis, suggesting that AIP is a systemic disease. In Western countries, AIP is more frequently observed in association with ulcerative colitis and tumor formation, which observations are somewhat contrary to the definition and concept of the disease adopted in Japan.
Patients with AIP often experience discomfort in the epigastrium, obstructive jaundice due to bile duct stricture, and diabetes mellitus. AIP is more common in middle-aged and elderly men. Although long-term prognosis of the disease is not clear, pancreatic stone formation has been found in some cases.
When diagnosing AIP, it is important to differentiate it from neoplastic lesions such as pancreatic or biliary cancers, and to avoid facile therapeutic diagnosis by steroid administration. The present criteria, therefore, are based on the minimum consensus features of AIP in order to avoid the misdiagnosis of pancreatic or biliary cancer as far as possible but not to pick up suspicious cases of AIP.
I. Clinical diagnostic criteria 1. Diffuse or segmental narrowing of the main pancreatic duct with irregular wall and diffuse or localized enlargement of the pancreas by imaging studies, such as abdominal ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 2. High serum -globulin, IgG, or IgG4, or the presence of autoantibodies, such as antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor.

## Marked interlobular fibrosis and prominent infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells in the periductal area, occasionally
with lymphoid follicles in the pancreas. Diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis is established when criterion 1, together with criterion 2 and/or 3, are fulfilled. However, it is necessary to exclude malignant diseases such as pancreatic or biliary cancers.

## Description notes
A. Imaging studies 1. Diffuse or localized swelling of the pancreas Abdominal US, CT, and/or MRI show diffuse or localized swelling of the pancreas. a. On US, pancreatic swelling is usually hypoechoic, sometimes with scattered echogenic spots. b. Contrast-enhanced CT generally shows delayed enhancement similar to a normal pancreas with sausage-like enlargement, and/or a capsular-like low-density rim. c. MRI shows diffuse or localized enlargement of the pancreas with lower density in the T1-weighed image and higher density in the T2-weighed image compared with the corresponding liver image.

## Narrowing of the pancreatic duct
The main pancreatic duct shows diffuse or localized narrowing. a. Unlike obstruction or stricture, narrowing of the pancreatic duct extends over a larger range, where the duct is narrowed with irregular walls. In typical cases, more than one-third of the entire length of the pancreatic duct is narrowed. Even in cases where the narrowing is segmental and extends to less than one-third of the total length, the upper part of the main pancreatic duct rarely shows notable dilatation. b. When the pancreatic images show typical findings but laboratory data do not, AIP is possible. However, without histopathological examination, it is difficult to distinguish AIP from pancreatic cancer. c. To obtain images of the pancreatic duct, it is necessary to use endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in addition to direct images taken during an operation or of specimens. Currently, it is difficult to depend for the diagnosis on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. 3. The pancreatic image findings described above may be observed retrospectively from the time of diagnosis.
B. Laboratory data 1. In many cases, patients with AIP show increased levels of serum -globulin, IgG, or IgG4. High serum IgG4, however, is not specific to AIP, since it is also observed in other disorders such as atopic dermatitis, pemphigus, or asthma. Currently, the significance of high serum IgG4 in the pathogenesis and the pathophysiology of AIP is unclear. 2. Although increased levels of serum -globulin (2.0 g/dl), IgG (1800 mg/dl), and IgG4 (135 mg/dl) may be used as a criterion for the diagnosis of AIP, further studies are necessary. 3. Autoantibodies such as antinuclear, anti-lactoferrin, anti-carbonic anhydrase antibody and rheumatoid factor are often detected in patients with AIP.
C. Pathohistological findings of the pancreas 1. Fibrotic changes associated with prominent infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells, occasionally with lymphoid follicles, are observed. In many cases, infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells is observed. 2. Lymphocytic infiltration is prominent in the periductal area, together with interlobular fibrosis, occasionally including intralobular fibrosis. 3. Inflammatory cell infiltration involves the ducts and results in diffuse narrowing of the pancreatic duct with atrophy of acini. 4. Obliterative phlebitis is often observed. 5. Although fine-needle biopsy under ultrasonic endoscopy is useful for differentiating AIP from malignant tumors, diagnosis may be difficult if the specimen is too small.
D. Endocrine and exocrine function of the pancreas Some patients with AIP show a decline of exocrine pancreatic function and develop diabetes mellitus. In some cases, steroid therapy improves endocrine and exocrine pancreatic dysfunction.
II. Relationship to extrapancreatic lesions and other associated disorders AIP may be associated with sclerosing cholangitis, sclerosing sialadenitis, or retroperitoneal fibrosis. Most AIP patients with sclerosing sialadenitis show negativity for both anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies, which may suggest that AIP differs from Sjogren's syndrome. Sclerosing cholangitis-like lesions accompanying AIP and primary sclerosing cholangitis respond differently to steroid therapy and have different prognoses, suggesting that they are not the same disorder. Further studies are necessary to clarify the role of autoimmune mechanisms in AIP.
Japan. [bib_ref] Controversies in clinical pancreatology: autoimmune pancreatitis: does it exist?, Pearson [/bib_ref] [bib_ref] Clinicopathological features of autoimmune pancreatitis in relation to elevation of serum IgG4, Kamisawa [/bib_ref] [bib_ref] Idiopathic chronic pancreatitis with periductal lymphoplasmacytic infiltration: clinicopathologic features of 35 cases, Notohara [/bib_ref] [bib_ref] Histopathological features of diagnostic and clinical relevance in autoimmune pancreatitis: a study..., Zamboni [/bib_ref] These points were excluded from the Japanese notes, because in Japan, the basic concepts of AIP are generally accepted as pancreatitis featuring abnormal immunity, an enlarged pancreas, and a narrowing of the pancreatic duct. However, these controversial points were considered for inclusion in the introduction to the English notes because they were deemed necessary to clarify the inconsistencies between the findings of foreign and domestic researchers. 2. It was argued that AIP can be diagnosed by imaging data and the effective response to steroid therapy alone. This argument, however, was excluded because of two problems. First, no other autoimmune disorders use steroidal effect for diagnosis except for the scoring system for autoimmune hepatitis, in which the steroidal effect is not used for the differential diagnosis of malignancy. Second, above all, there was a concern that its adoption might encourage the use of facile therapeutic diagnostic techniques just to distinguish AIP from malignant tumors such as pancreatic cancer. 3. There was an argument as to whether the proposal should specify methods for ruling out other pancreatic disorders and pancreatic/biliary cancers. It was decided that each institute may decide the methods at their discretion, because standardization is rather difficult.

# Conclusion
The current concept of AIP including extrapancreatic lesions and associated disorders suggests that AIP may be a systemic disorder. As the concept of the disease has undergone changes, a revised version of the clinical diagnostic criteria of AIP in Japan has been proposed. Although it is not possible to establish diagnostic criteria that satisfy everyone, the Japanese criteria are based on the minimum consensus features of AIP in order to avoid the misdiagnosis of malignancy as far as possible, but not to pick up suspicious cases of AIP.
[fig] On 7: October 2005 and 22 April 2006, the Research Committee of Intractable Diseases of the Pancreas and the Japan Pancreas Society jointly held open forums to discuss the proposed amendments. [/fig]
[table] Table 2: Clinicopathological features of autoimmune pancreatitis [/table]
[table] Table 3: Clinical Diagnostic Criteria of Autoimmune Pancreatitis (revised proposal) (Proposed by the Research Committee of Intractable Diseases of the Pancreas, supported by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the Japan Pancreas Society) [/table]