Gastric secretion of acid in patients with pancreatic disease.

In view of the destruction of pancreatic extract, used in the treatment of pancreatic insufficiency, by gastric juice, we measured the gastric secretory response to pentagastrin in patients with pancreatic disease. The patients with chronic pancreatitis and steatorrhoea secreted as much acid as patients with duodenal ulcer, emphasising the need for therapeutic gastric secretory inhibition to supplement treatment of pancreatic insufficiency with pancreatic extract.