PANCREATIC EXOCRINE INVOLVEMENT IN PRIMARY SJOGRENS-SYNDROME

Exocrine pancreatic involvement of primary Sjogren's syndrome (SS) was studied. Pancreatic enzyme levels (total amylase, pancreatic isoamyla se and immunoreactive trypsin) along with anti-ductuli antibodies (Ab) were studied in 77 patients with primary SS. In 10 patients with norm al and 10 with abnormal enzyme levels pancreatic CT scans were also ob tained. All enzyme levels were significantly increased in comparison t o the control group. Immunoreactive trypsin was found to be the most f requently increased enzyme (35.3% of pSS patients). Anti-ductuli Ab we re not found in any patient. Pancreatic CT scans were normal in all su bjects with enzymatic increase, whereas 2 abnormal scans were demonstr ated in patients without enzyme changes. Our study suggests that exocr ine pancreatic involvement is frequent when measured by enzyme levels. Nevertheless, we were unable to demonstrate any morphological lesion by CT scan.