The effect of primary hyperparathyroidism on pancreatic exocrine function

Abstract

Background Elastase-1 is a proteolytic enzyme secreted by pancreatic acinar cells, and measurements of the concentration this enzyme are used to evaluate pancreatic exocrine function. We aimed to determine whether pancreatic exocrine function declines due to chronic hypercalcemia by measuring fecal elastase levels. Methods 75 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (18 men and 47 women) and 30 healthy subjects (11 men and 19 women) participated in this study. Renal function tests, lipid parameters, bone mineral density, and serum calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, parathormone, glucose, and thyroid stimulating hormone levels as well as fecal elastase concentrations, were determined in these patients and controls. Results The mean fecal elastase level was 335.3 +/- 181.4 mu g/g in the PHPT group and 317.4 +/- 157.3 mu g/g in the control group. There was no significant difference in fecal elastase levels between the two groups (p = 0.5). Conclusions Chronic hypercalcemia in primary hyperparathyroidism did not decrease the fecal elastase level, which is an indirect indicator of chronic pancreatitis; therefore, chronic hypercalcemia in PHPT may not cause chronic pancreatitis.