Which vitamin deficiency is often seen in patients with chronic pancreatitis?

In patients with chronic pancreatitis, fat-soluble vitamins are often deficient due to the pancreas's compromised ability to produce the enzymes necessary for the digestion and absorption of dietary fats. Chronic pancreatitis leads to a decrease in the secretion of lipase and other digestive enzymes, which are crucial for breaking down fats. Consequently, this malabsorption results in a lack of absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, which can lead to various health issues.

While deficiencies in other vitamins, such as Vitamin B12, can occur in different contexts (such as those related to gastrointestinal issues or specific dietary insufficiencies), fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies are specifically tied to the malabsorption resulting from pancreatic insufficiency. This makes it a hallmark issue in chronic pancreatitis, reinforcing why fat-soluble vitamins are correctly identified as the vitamin deficiency commonly seen in these patients.