[Pancreatic exocrine secretion in chronic alcoholism]

Pancreas exocrine secretion in 45 patients with chronic alcoholism was studied. Pancreocimene-secretion test was carried out in all of them, with the determination of pancreas secretion, concentration of bicarbonate excreted, amount of the secreted bicarbonates and a total quantity of the secreted diastase and lipase. Serum provocative test was carried out in parallel. The results were compared with the control group of 30 healthy subjects. Disturbed pancreas secretion was found in 57,7 per cent of the subjects examined, the volume of secretion being reduced in 37,7 per cent of the patients, bicarbonate secretion--in 44 percent; amount of secreted bicarbonates--in 51,1 per cent, quantity of secreted lipase--in 57,7 per cent and diastase--in 51,1 per cent of the patients. The discrepancies with the control group are statistically significant. In 42,2 per cent of the examined--positive provocative test was established. Hypersecretion of liquids and bicarbonates was found in 13,3 per cent of the patients. The severity of the changes in pancreas secretion depends on the amount and duration of alcohol consumption.