[Chronic calcified pancreatitis. Our experience].

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Internal Medicine
• Clinical Research

Context:

• This study retrospectively reviewed 45 cases of chronic pancreatitis diagnosed between 1966 and 1983 at Hospital A. Posadas.
• Chronic pancreatitis is a significant gastrointestinal condition with diverse etiologies and clinical presentations.
• Understanding long-term outcomes and associations is crucial for patient management.

Purpose:

• To analyze the clinical characteristics, etiologies, and outcomes of chronic pancreatitis patients.
• To investigate associations between clinical data, presence of calcifications, and etiologic factors.
• To evaluate the chronological evolution of symptoms and surgical interventions.

Summary:

• The study identified chronic alcoholism in 91.9% of cases. Major clinical manifestations included weight loss (84.4%), diabetes (75.5%), and abdominal pain (73.3%).
• Pancreatic calcifications were present in 35 patients, abnormal secretin tests in 37, and imaging in 10.
• Moderate associations were found between acute pancreatitis and non-calcified pancreas, and between diabetes and calcified pancreas. Surgical interventions were more frequent in the early years, while diabetes prevalence increased later. Of the 10 surviving patients, 8 were asymptomatic.

Impact:

• This research provides valuable insights into the natural history and clinical spectrum of chronic pancreatitis, particularly in an alcoholic population.
• Findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis and management of complications like diabetes and pseudocysts.
• The study underscores the long-term challenges in managing chronic pancreatitis, including the need for ongoing follow-up and addressing associated conditions.