Sweat electrolytes in chronic pancreatitis.

Sweat electrolytes were carried out in 84 adult patients with calcific pancreatitis, 51 with noncalcific pancreatitis, and the results compared to 37 adult controls. Of the patients with calcific pancreatitis, 33.5% had sweat sodium levels greater than 90 mEq/liter and 14.4% a level greater that 120 mEq/liter. Patients with noncalcific pancreatitis also had a high incidence of elevated sweat sodium levels. Sweat potassium levels were less discriminating, and there appeared to be high sweat calcium levels in a few patients so tested. The reasons for the elevated sweat sodium levels in pancreatitis is not readily apparent, and the possible relationship to heterozygous forms of cystic fibrosis is discussed.