Beta-cell function of the pancreas after necrotizing pancreatitis

Aim: To investigate the late sequellae of necrotizing pancreatitis on the endocrine function of the pancreas. Patients and Methods: Twenty patients, 15 men (mean +/- SEM age 52.2 +/- 2.6 years and BMI 26.8 +/- 0.8 kg/m(2)) and 5 women (age 51.0 +/- 7.6 years and BMI 26.7 +/- 0.8 kg/m(2)) were submitted to a glucagon stimulation test 63 (range 8-136) months after an attack of pancreatitis. All nondiabetic patients (n = 15) were also submitted to an oral glucose tolerance test. For comparison, 16 healthy volunteers, 8 men (age 56.0 +/- 0.9 years and BMI 26.3 +/- 0.4 kg/m(2)) and 8 women (age 50.5 +/- 1.0 years and BMI 28.2 +/- 0.6 kg/m(2)), were also studied. Results: Five patients (25%) had diabetes mellitus and needed insulin treatment, 6 patients (30%) had an impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Nondiabetic patients (IGT included) had a significantly higher basal insulin level (15.8 +/- 1.9 vs. 10.9 +/- 2.2 mU/l, p