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Original Paper
The nature of hypocalcaemia in acute pancreatitis
Article first published online: 7 DEC 2005
DOI: 10.1002/bjs.1800650323
Copyright © 1978 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd.
1365-2168/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=bc5a1819380c064145da271c2d887371f804b6d7 "British Journal of Surgery")
Additional Information
How to Cite
McMahon, M. J., Woodhead, J. S. and Hayward, R. D. (1978), The nature of hypocalcaemia in acute pancreatitis. British Journal of Surgery, 65: 216–218. doi: 10.1002/bjs.1800650323
Publication History
- Issue published online: 7 DEC 2005
- Article first published online: 7 DEC 2005
- Manuscript Accepted: 7 SEP 1977
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Abstract
A retrospective and prospective study was made of 82 attacks of acute pancreatitis occurring in 80 patients. Attacks were defined as mild (55) or severe (27) according to clinical criteria. Severe attacks were associated with significantly low levels of uncorrected calcium and calculated ionized calcium, both at the time of admission and 48 h later.
Patients with severe attacks were found to have lower levels of parathyroid hormone than either those with mild attacks or other patients who had undergone an abdominal operation. These results indicate that severe pancreatitis is associated with true hypocalcaemia, and that deficiency of circulating parathyroid hormone may be a factor in its production.