Size of pancreas and beta-cell function in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between beta -cell function and size of the pancreas in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Methods Forty patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes were consecutively recruited for measurement of fasting and 2h-postload plasma glucose and C-peptide during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Sonography was performed in a supine position after an overnight fast and anteroposterior diameters of the head, body, and tail were measured in oblique planes. Results Linear relationships between the following variables: the diameter of pancreas body and fasting plasma C -peptide (r =0.324 ,P =0.041), diameter of pancreas body and 2h-postpload plasma C -peptide (r =0.400 ,P =0.010), diameter of pancreas body and the increment of plasma C -peptide (r = 0. 318 , P = 0. 045) , diameter of pancreas tail and fasting plasma C -peptide (r =0. 323 , P =0. 042) , diameter of pancreas tail and 2h -postload plasma C -peptide (r = 0. 400 , P = 0. 011 ) , diameter of pancreas tail and the increment of plasma C -peptide (r = 0. 319, P = 0. 045). No significant correlation was found between the diameter of the pancreas head and C -peptide secretion (all r <0. 230, all P >0. 156). Conclusions These data suggest a linear relationship between beta -cell secretion and the size of pancreas body and tail in newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes. Longitudinal studies using the noninvasive sonography are needed to identify treatments that improve the exocrine -endocrine correlation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]