Serum Carbohydrate-Deficient Transferrin in Pancreatic Diseases of Different Etiologies

Background The aim of this study was to find out whether pancreatic diseases invalidate the use of CDT for the detection of high alcohol intake and if CDT can distinguish between alcoholic and non-alcoholic pancreatitis. Methods The study was carried out on 110 patients with pancreatic diseases. Serum CDT was determined using the N Latex CDT test. Results The mean relative (%) and absolute (mg/L) CDT levels in acute and chronic pancreatitis were significantly higher than in controls and patients with primary pancreatic cancer. No significant difference was found in CDT concentrations between acute and chronic pancreatitis. The relative and absolute CDT concentrations in alcohol-induced pancreatitis were significantly higher compared to the controls and biliary-induced pancreatitis. Conclusions Acute and chronic alcoholic pancreatitis, but not biliary pancreatitis, may affect CDT levels. Pancreatitis does not invalidate the use of CDT as a marker of alcohol abuse. CDT can be a useful test for distinguishing alcoholic from non-alcoholic pancreatitis. Changes in CDT level indicate disturbances in transferrin glycosylation in the course of alcoholic pancreatic diseases.