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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Excess pancreatic fat raises mortality risk, especially from vascular causes. A UK Biobank study of over 55,000 participants found that high intrapancreatic fat was linked to greater risks of all-cause and vascular death. Researchers also identified 38 genetic variants tied to pancreatic fat, with a polygenic risk score validating the findings in a separate cohort of 354,000+ people.
A large UK Biobank study has found that excessive fat buildup in the pancreas — known as intrapancreatic fat deposition (IPFD) — is linked to a significantly higher risk of dying, particularly from vascular causes. Researchers analyzed MRI data from over 55,000 participants (median age 65) over nearly five years, finding that pancreatic fat levels above 9.54% qualified as "excessive" and were tied to elevated all-cause and vascular mortality.
Beyond the imaging data, a genome-wide analysis uncovered 38 genetic variants associated with IPFD. A polygenic risk score (PRS) built from these variants was validated in an independent cohort of 354,761 people, confirming the link between genetically predicted pancreatic fat and mortality risk.
By the Numbers
Why it matters: Pancreatic fat may not be a fixed trait — diet, physical activity, and metabolic health likely drive much of it. That means IPFD could be a modifiable risk factor, opening the door for lifestyle-based interventions to reduce mortality risk.
