Morphological Pancreatic Features in Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

Hypothesis: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with pancreatic fibrosis that can be evaluated by minimally invasive imaging techniques. That fibrosis is associated with alteration of exocrine pancreatic function, defined as a reduced secretion of pancreatic enzymes and the development of nutritional deficiencies. To test that hypothesis, a prospective, observational, cross-sectional, comparative, case-control study has been designed. Pancreatic fibrosis will be evaluated by endoscopic ultrasound and quantitative elastography in cases (type-2 diabetes) and age-gender-matched controls without diabetes. Pancreatic function will be explored by fecal elastase test and nutritional evaluation. Calculated sample size is 94 patients (47 cases and 47 controls). Study period is 2 years.