Serum Isoamylases in Chronic Pancreatitis

Abstract

Skude, G. & Eriksson, S. Serum isoamylases in chronic pancreatitis. Scand. J. Gastroent. 1976, 11, 525-527

Serum isoamylases were quantitated separately in 15 patients with chronic pancreatitis. The mean activity of pancreatic isoamylase was 7 U/l in the patients as compared to 88 U/l in healthy controls. 8 of the patients completely lacked pancreatic isoamylase and the mean activity in the other was 15 U/l. Salivary isoamylase activities were moderately increased in the patients. Determination of the serum pancreatic isoamylase is a simple screening procedure that should be useful in the diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Key-words::

• Chronic pancreatitis
• exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
• serum isoamylases