[Pancreatopathy in diabetes mellitus]

In a comparative histopathologic autopsy study, 100 patients with diabetes mellitus were compared to 100 without this condition with respect to the presence of chronic pancreatopathy. No qualitative differences in specific alterations could be identified. In diabetic patients, however, intralobular and interacinar fibrosis, lipomatosis and atrophy of the parenchyma occurred more frequently and tended to be more severe. These alterations were also associated with the duration and severity of the diabetic condition and with the age of the patient and the degree of arteriosclerosis. On the other hand alterations of the ductal system and the presence of periductal fibrosis appeared to be less frequent in the diabetic group. The more marked pancreatopathic changes which were observed in the diabetics may be interpreted as resulting from a decreased regenerative ability of the parenchyma in higher age especially in the face of arteriosclerotic circulatory deficits in diabetes. Hormonal-metabolic regulatory disturbances in the function of the acinar pancreatic parenchyma due to the insulin deficit in the capillary net may also play a role.