[Chronic pancreatitis in Cameroon. Analysis of etiological and clinical aspects].

In a collection of 3,571 patient's files admitted in the University Teaching Hospital and the Yaounde General Hospital, we studied 27 patients suspected of chronic pancreatitis. 20 patients with calcified chronic pancreatitis benefited from a detailed history, physical examination and a complete paraclinical work-up. From the data collected, chronic alcoholism seemed to have been the main aetiology. Industrial beer from barley alone and/or associated with other traditional liquors was most consumed. The majority of patients were heavy alcoholics and daily consumption varied from 75 to 124 g of pure alcohol. The natural history of the disease and physical examination were identical to that observed in the western countries. Associated pathology was observed in 10% of the patients. This included peptic ulcer disease, cirrhosis and bile stones. Complications included diabetics, obstructive jaundice, and malabsorption syndrome. As a conclusion, chronic pancreatitis is a pathology whose prevalence seems to be progressing constantly.