Further subgroup analysis based on the severity of pancreatitis has indicated that there were positive associations between the serum levels of HMGB1 and all the progression of pancreatitis including SAP, mild acute pancreatitis (MAP), acute pancreatitis (AP), and chronic pancreatitis (CP), suggesting that serum HMGB1 levels may serve as a major risk factor of pancreatitis progression. The gene discussed is HMGB1; the disease is chronic pancreatitis.