RESUMO
Uraemic pancreatopathy is frequently observed in patients with chronic renal failure. The aim of the study was to assess some parameters of exocrine pancreatic function in uraemic patients maintained on intermittent haemodialyses. Elevated serum amylase activity was found in these patients. The most significant finding was the low bicarbonate output in duodenal content after secretin-cerulein stimuli, comparable with that obtained in patients with chronic pancreatitis. It indicates pancreatic exocrine defect in uraemic patients. A fall in protein output and lower amylase activity in duodenal content was also observed in haemodialyzed patients after stimulation. Low basal acid output (BAO) and enhanced maximal (MAO) and peak (PAO) acid outputs were found in uraemic patients after pentagastrin stimulation. Gastritis and duodenitis were frequently diagnosed in endoscopic and histopathological examinations in these patients. In patients with chronic renal failure even without clinical signs of pancreatic, laboratory findings of exocrine pancreatic abnormalities are reported. It may be the cause of uraemic pancreatopathy.
