In 23 men with chronic pancreatitis and diabetes, incl. 19 with an ethylic etiology, the secretion of C-peptide was assessed after stimulation with glucose and the prevalence of diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy and polyneuropathy was assessed. In 12 patients for compensation of diabetes insulin treatment was necessary, in 11 oral antidiabetics were indicated. In the whole group the prevalence of incipient nephropathy was 21.8% and of non-proliferative retinopathy 8.7%. Polyneuropathy was found only in patients with ethylic pancreatitis and amounted to 63.1%. If residual insulin secretion is preserved in patients with chronic pancre- atitis and diabetes nephropathies and retinopathies are encountered in incipient stages. In neuropathies beyond doubt the effect of alcohol participates. It is possible that if systematic measures are taken to prevent progression of chronic pancreatitis diabetes and its complications will remain stationary.

        Key words: diabetes mellitus - chronic pancreatitis - ethylic etiology.