Impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in chronic calcifying pancreatitis

We investigated pancreatic endocrine function, exocrine function and insulin resistance in 9 subjects with chronic calcifying pancreatitis (CCP). Insulin and glucagon secretory function were reduced in most of the patients, and pancreatic exocrine function was disturbed in all 9. Insulin resistance was evaluated using a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp technique. Most of the patients had marked insulin resistance. The correlation between glucagon secretory function and insulin resistance was statistically significant. The results suggested that the reductions in insulin secretion and insulin resistance were observed in the early stage of impaired glucose tolerance associated with chronic pancreatitis and that the insulin resistance diminished together with the development of A cell dysfunction.