Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis in Rochester, Minnesota, 1940 To 1969

Abstract

Records of all residents of Rochester; Minnesota, who had acute and chronic pancreatitis between 1940 and 1969 were reviewed and abstracted; 151 clinical cases had been diagnosed, and 170 more were included as examples of incidental pancreatitis noted at laparotomy or autopsy. Incidence rates based only on the clinical cases revealed an increased incidence from the first to the second decade, but the rates during the last two decades remained fairly stable. These rates are thought to be minimal in view of the difficulties in diagnosing pancreatitis. Incidence rates of acute pancreatitis did not differ by sex during the last two decades, although among men there was a slightly greater role of chronic pancreatitis. Age-specific rates showed a gradual rise from 4 per 100,000, for those younger than 30, to 62 per 100,000, for those over 70 years old. Acute pancreatitis is more frequent than chronic pancreatitis in a ratio of slightly more than 3:1. Etiologically, biliary tract disease was present in 37% of the patients and alcohol abuse was identified in 19%. Nine clinical cases of pancreatitis had pre-existing diabetes mellitus, and 10 subsequently developed the disease. The association of these two diseases was appreciably greater than would be expected by chance.