Hypercaloric nutrition as aetiological factor in chronic pancreatitis

Nutritional habits were evaluated in 31 patients with confirmed chronic calcifying pancreatitis (CCP) (n = 11, mean age 43,9 years) and chronic non-calcified pancreatitis (CP) (n = 20, mean age 44,5 years). Each patient was matched with two healthy persons of same age, sex and social class. In the patients with CCP before onset of the clinical disease the daily intake of fat (156 g versus 89 g), of carbohydrates (325 g versus 262 g, of alcohol (124 g versus 19 g) and of total calories (4110 versus 2250) was significantly higher than in the control persons. In the patients with CP likewise the daily intake of fat, alcohol and total calories (3598 versus 2069) was significantly higher than in the controls. After onset of the clinical signs of pancreatitis, the intake of nutrients was significantly reduced, mainly due to a lower intake of fat and alcohol.