[Natural history of alcoholic chronic pancreatitis in north-western Romania]

Abstract

Aim: To describe the natural history of alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (ACP) patients form north-western Romania.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis and a subsequent prospective follow-up (mean = 7.3 years) of 99 patients with ACP. Average duration of ACP was 15.6 years.

Results: Patients were mostly men (93%), with a mean age of 42.9 years at the time of operation and 35.7 years at the disease onset. Indications for surgery were: intractable pain (12%), complications (83%) and suspicion of malignancy (5%). During the evolution, 35 patients needed two to four surgical procedures. Calcifications developed in 63.6% of patients, steatorrhea in 41.4% and secondary diabetes in 43.4%.

Conclusion: ACP in north-western Romania is characterized by early onset of the disease and a severe evolution with multiple complications needing repeated surgery. The "burnout" of the disease, with calcifications, secondary diabetes and marked exocrine insufficiency leads to lasting pain relief.