EVIDENCE AGAINST AN IMMUNOGENETIC BASIS FOR DIABETES IN CHRONIC PANCREATITIS

Abstract

Abstract A possible immunogenetic basis for diabetes in chronic pancreatitis was explored by studying 19 patients with both disorders, most of whom required treatment with insulin. In contrast to patients with insulin‐dependent (Type 1) diabetes, patients with diabetes and chronic pancreatitis had residual beta cell function but blunted C‐peptide responses to intravenous glucagon, absence of circulating islet cell antibodies, and HLA‐DR types similar to control subjects and patients with chronic pancreatitis without diabetes. Diabetes complicating chronic pancreatitis is therefore not associated with the biochemical or immunogenetic markers characteristic of Type 1 diabetes. Copyright © 1987..