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Chronic pancreatitis in Sicily. Preliminary reports
G Montalto1, A Carroccio, M Soresi
1Cattedra di Patologia Medica II, Università di Palermo, Italy.
The Italian Journal of Gastroenterology
|February 1, 1990
Summary
This study investigated chronic calcifying pancreatitis in Sicily, finding alcohol as the primary cause. Alcoholic patients showed more severe symptoms, unlike non-alcoholic cases with higher rates of gallstones and female incidence.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Internal Medicine
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Chronic calcifying pancreatitis (CCP) presents diverse etiological and clinical profiles globally.
- Understanding regional variations is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the etiology and clinical characteristics of CCP in a Sicilian population.
- To compare these findings with other Italian and international reports.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 42 patients with CCP in Sicily.
- Comparison of etiological factors and clinical manifestations between alcoholic and non-alcoholic groups.
- Comparative analysis with existing literature from Northern Italy and other regions.
Main Results:
- Alcohol was the etiology in 62% of cases; 38% were idiopathic.
- Male-to-female ratio was 2.5:1.
- Alcoholic CCP patients exhibited higher frequencies of pain, weight loss, pancreatic calcifications, steatorrhea, pseudocysts, and cirrhosis.
- Cholelithiasis was more prevalent in non-alcoholic CCP patients.
Conclusions:
- Sicilian CCP cases show a significant alcoholic etiology, with distinct clinical features compared to non-alcoholic forms.
- Regional comparison reveals a lower frequency of alcoholic CCP and a higher incidence in women compared to Northern Italy.
- These findings highlight the importance of geographical and etiological factors in CCP presentation.