Spontaneous improvement in pancreatic function in chronic pancreatitis.

Three women with chronic pancreatitis who were observed for 4-29 years showed spontaneous improvement in exocrine function as assessed by symptoms and by reduction in fecal excretion of fat. One patient had a reduction in the severity of diabetes mellitus, while another showed a progressive increase in the maximum bicarbonate concentration in duodenal juice after the intravenous injection of secretin. Improvement in pancreatic function followed cessation of alcohol in two patients in whom chronic pancreatitis was associated with alcohol abuse.