[Effect of the duration of chronic alcoholic pancreatitis on the severity of outbreaks of acute pancreatitis].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the severity of 66 bouts of acute pancreatitis according to CT scan classification in 52 patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis in relation with the duration of the disease.


METHODS
Patients without pancreatic collection were classified as benign bouts, others as severe.


RESULTS
Benign and severe acute pancreatitis occurred after a mean duration of 29.5 and 21.4 months, respectively (P < 0.05). Pancreatic calcifications were present on CT scan in 56% and 23% of the benign and severe groups, respectively (P = 0.008). No deaths occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
The severity of acute bouts of pancreatitis decreases during chronic alcoholic pancreatitis course, particularly when pancreas is calcified.
Service de Gastroentérologie, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy.
A
A
Chemtob
P
P
Lévy
M
M
Zins
P
P
Bernades
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016577:Pancreaticoduodenectomy; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000431:Ethanol
Influence de l'ancienneté de la pancréatite chronique alcoolique sur la gravité des poussées de pancréatite aiguë.