title: A 5-year experience of benign pancreatic hyperenzymemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Benign pancreatic hyperenzymemia is characterized by a long-term increase of serum pancreatic enzymes in otherwise healthy subjects. This study was designed to determine (a) whether all pancreatic enzymes are elevated, (b) the extent of each enzyme increase, (c) the relative frequency of the familial form, and (d) the relative frequencies of pancreatic and salivary hyperamylasemia and macroamylasemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred seven asymptomatic subjects with benign pancreatic hyperenzymemia were studied during the 5-year period. Serum amylase, isoamylase, and lipase levels were assessed by immunoenzymatic assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most (n = 183; 88.4%) patients had benign pancreatic hyperenzymemia; 155 (74.9%) patients had an abnormal increase of all 3 enzymes, 15 (7.2%) patients of only lipase, and 13 (6.3%) patients of only amylase and pancreatic isoamylase. Lipase levels were the highest (1.1-21 times above upper limit). Of the 183 subjects, 72 were members of 35 different families, 15 (7.2%) had increased salivary amylase, and 9 (4.3%) had macroamylasemia. Wide day-to-day fluctuations of pancreatic enzymes, including falls within the reference ranges, were recorded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All enzymes were increased in benign pancreatic hyperenzymemia, with lipase showing the highest elevation. Doctors should reassure patients about the benign nature of this condition and limit repeating useless examinations.
authors.affiliation: From the *Departments of Medical and Surgical Sciences, and †Digestive Diseases and Internal Medicine, Centro Unificato di Ricerca Biomedica Applicata, University of Bologna, St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Galassi
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Birtolo
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Migliori
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bastagli
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gabusi
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stanghellini
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Giorgio
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D004798:Enzymes / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007517:Isoamylase / Q000097:blood*; D008049:Lipase / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010179:Pancreas / Q000201:enzymology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004798:Enzymes; D008049:Lipase; D000681:Amylases; D007517:Isoamylase