[Pancreatic exocrine secretion in chronic alcoholism]

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Endocrinology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Chronic alcoholism is a leading cause of pancreatic dysfunction.
• Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency can lead to maldigestion and malnutrition.
• Understanding the specific impact of alcohol on pancreatic secretion is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of chronic alcoholism on pancreas exocrine secretion.
• To quantify alterations in secretion volume, bicarbonate, lipase, and diastase.
• To correlate alcohol consumption patterns with the severity of pancreatic dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• Pancreocimene-secretion test performed on 45 chronic alcoholics and 30 healthy controls.
• Measurement of pancreas secretion volume, bicarbonate concentration, secreted bicarbonates, lipase, and diastase.
• Parallel assessment using serum provocative tests.

Main Results:

• Pancreas exocrine secretion was disturbed in 57.7% of alcoholic patients.
• Reduced secretion volume (37.7%), bicarbonate (44%), secreted bicarbonates (51.1%), lipase (57.7%), and diastase (51.1%) were observed.
• Positive provocative tests occurred in 42.2% of patients; 13.3% showed hypersecretion.

Conclusions:

• Chronic alcoholism significantly impairs exocrine pancreatic function.
• The degree of pancreatic dysfunction correlates with alcohol intake amount and duration.
• Alcohol-induced pancreatic damage necessitates targeted clinical interventions.