1992 Volume 35 Issue 9 Pages 755-760
The pancreas of 5 patients with IDDM in remission (group A), 12 with IDDM not in remission (group B), 120 with NIDDM (group C), and 100 healthy controls group were scanned by ultrasound to investigate the relationship between pancereatic functions and morphology. The P value (an area including the pancereatic head, body, and tail) was determined in the transverse or oblique plane parallel to the splenic vein. The Q value was calculated by dividing the P value by the body surface area. The values for the aforementioned 4 groups were 7.9±1.2, 4.7±1.2, 6.8±1.9, and 8.9±1.5cm2/m2 (mean+SD), respectively. The Q value for group A was significantly greater than that for group B (P<0.01). The serum trypsin level of group A was significantly higher than that p<0.01 for group B (P<0.01). As a prospective study, time course of Q value in 3 IDDM with remission (Group A'), and 3 IDDM without remission (Group B') were followed up. Pancreatic atrophy and pancreatic exocrine dysfunctions developed rapidly after onset in the Group B' but not in the Group A'. No significant differences were noted in pancreatic endocrine function, presence or absence of ICA or ICSA, and HLA or HbA1c values of the group A and group B. It was concluded that the Q value and serum immunoreactive trypsin level may be good indicators for remission in IDDM.
