Exocrine and Endocrine Pancreatic Function in 21 Patients Suffering from Autoimmune Pancreatitis before and after Steroid Treatment

Background/Aim: Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) responds rapidly and dramatically to steroid therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate pancreatic exocrine and endocrine function in patients suffering from AIP both before and after steroid therapy. Patients and Methods: Fecal elastase 1 and diabetes were evaluated before steroid therapy and within 1 month of its suspension in 21 patients (13 males and 8 females, mean age 43 ± 16.5 years) diagnosed as having AIP between 2006 and 2008. Results: At clinical onset, fecal elastase 1 was 107 ± 126μg/g stool.Thirteen patients (62%) showed severe pancreatic insufficiency (<100 μg/g stool), 4 (19%) had mild insufficiency (100-200 μg/g stool), while 4 (19%) had normal pancreatic function (1200 μg/g stool). Before steroids, diabetes was diagnosed in 5 patients (24%), all of whom had very low levels of fecal elastase 1 (<19 μg/g stool). Following steroids, fecal elastase 1 increased in all patients (237 8 193 μg/g stool) and observed levels were significantly higher than those seen before steroids (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Patients suffering from AIP display exocrine and/or endocrine pancreatic insufficiency at clinical onset. These insufficiencies improve after steroid therapy.