Studies on intestinal malabsorption in chronic pancreatitis

Abstract

Pancreozymin-secretin test (PS test) and intestinal absorption tests were performed in 21 patients with chronic calcific pancreatitis and 32 patients with chronic noncalcific pancreatitis to evaluate exocrine functions of the pancreas. And the following results were confirmed. (1) Fecal fat excretion increased in 33% of chronic pancreatitis (47% of calcific pancreatitis and 25% of noncalcific pancreatitis). Serum carotene leves showed significantly low levels in 44% of chronic pancreatitis (67% of calcific pancreatitis and 27% of noncalcific pancreatitis). (2) D-xylose tolerance test was abnormally low in only 6% of chronic pancreatitis, but Schilling test was evaluated abnormally low in 29% of chronic pancreatitis (50% of calcific pancreatitis and 11% of noncalcific pancreatitis). (3) Fecal fat excretion increased in cases of severe exocrine insufficiency of the pancreas with decreased amylase output and decreased maximum bicarbonate concentration in PS test. (4) Correlation of fecal fat excretion to maximum bicarbonate concentration was statistically significant, but those to amylase output or volume of pancreatic juice were not significant. (5) Antacid drugs combined with pancreatic extracts seems to be indispensable in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis as far as malabsorption in chronic pancreatitis is concerned.