Common causes of pancreatitis include which combinations?

• A. Alcohol abuse only
• B. Cholecystitis only
• C. Both alcohol abuse and cholecystitis
• D. Viral infection

Answer: (C)

Pancreatitis is most often triggered by either alcohol use or biliary tract disease. Alcohol damages pancreatic tissue and increases enzyme production, setting the stage for autodigestion. Biliary disease, especially gallstones blocking the pancreatic duct, causes obstruction and premature enzyme activation within the pancreas. Because these two pathways represent the two most common causes, a scenario that includes both alcohol abuse and biliary involvement (represented here by cholecystitis) best fits the typical etiologies.

If only alcohol or only cholecystitis were considered, the explanation would be less comprehensive, since pancreatitis can arise from either mechanism, and viral infection is a less frequent cause.