Nutritional data and etiology of chronic pancreatitis in Mexico

Alcoholism and malnutrition have been implicated commonly in the etiology of chronic pancreatitis (CP). The geographical distribution and clinical and nutritional features differ between the alcoholic and tropical forms of CP. This work presents the etiology and nutritional characteristics of CP in Mexico, a country in which both alcoholism and childhood malnutrition are common. Two well-defined groups of patients have been identified: an alcoholic group composed mainly of males with a mean age at clinical onset of 41 years and a high dietary intake of fat, protein, carbohydrates, and calories; and a nonalcoholic group with a female preponderance, a mean age at onset of 23 years, and a higher intake of protein than controls. We conclude that alcoholic chronic pancreatitis in Mexico is similar to that reported in other temperate countries. Although the nonalcoholic group resembles that observed in tropical countries in many ways, our patients are not malnourished, further questioning the role of childhood malnutrition in the pathogenesis of this type of chronic pancreatitis.