ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze the disease burden of pancreatitis in China from 1990 to 2019 and to provide references for the prevention and treatment of pancreatitis. MethodsThe data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD 2019). The incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs) and their corresponding age-standardized rate, and annual average percentage change (AAPC) were selected as the main indicators to compare the burden of pancreatitis in China, the United States and globally from 1990 to 2019. ResultsIn 2019, the age-standardized incidence, mortality, DALY, YLL, and YLD rates in China were 26.76/100 000, 0.59/100 000, 16.09/100 000, 14.61/100 000, and 1.48/100 000, respectively, and decreased by 8.94%, 45.33%, 49.12%, 50.98%, and 18.49%, respectively, compared with those in 1990. The burden of pancreatitis in China gradually increased with age, but was lower than that in the United States and globally. The DALY due to alcohol continually increased in China, the United States, and globally. ConclusionFrom 1990 to 2019, the burden of pancreatitis in China shows a decreasing trend and is lower than that in the United States and globally. However, the disease burden caused by alcohol and aging is increasing; therefore, effective measurements to alleviate the burden of pancreatitis in China are needed.