The pancreatic involvement in disseminated "collagen" disorders. Studies of pancreatic secretion in patients with scleroderma and Sjögren's "disease".

In this study of 66 patients with Sjögren's syndrome and/or scleroderma abnormal pancreatic secretory patterns were observed in 43 patients, 17 of 23 with Sjögren's and 19 of 31 with scleroderma. Pancreatic insufficiency was often associated with depressed gastric secretion and/or abnormal gallbladder function. While in both disorders digestive complaints are attributable to one or more dysfunctions, the pathogenetic factors in scleroderma appear to be more varied and require careful investigation for complete elucidation. Antibiotics, antimetabolites and steroid therapies are also additional causal factors involved in the initiation of gastrointestinal dysfunction and pathology.