Studies on whole gut transit in chronic pancreatitis patients

Abnormalities of whole gut transit could contribute to the maldigestion and　digestive symptoms of chronic pancreatitis patients. Whole gut transit was measured by radiopaque markers method. Fifteen chronic pancreatitis patients (2 females, 13 males; age range 40-78 years) and 17 controls (4 females, 13 males, 32-73 years) were studied. Additionally, we also looked for evidence of autonomic neuropathy in the chronic pancreatitis patients by using cardiovascular tests. In chronic pancreatitis, whole gut transit was shorter than controls. These abnormalities were not influenced by the degree of autonomic neuropathy. We conclude that whole gut transit is shorter in chronic pancreatitis patients.