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Affiliations
Jennifer A. Campbell
Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Department of Infection, Immunity & Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield; Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK
David S. Sanders
Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Department of Infection, Immunity & Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield; Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK
Katherine A. Francis
Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK
Matthew Kurien
Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Department of Infection, Immunity & Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK
Sai Lee
James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, UK
Hatim Taha
James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, UK
Arvind Ramadas
James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, UK
Diamond Joy
James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, UK ; Johns Hopkins Aramco Hospital, Dhahran 34465, Saudi Arabia
Andrew D. Hopper
Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK
How to Cite
Should we Investigate Gastroenterology Patients for Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency? A Dual Centre UK Study
Abstract
Background & Aims: Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency may be under recognised in gastroenterological practice. We aimed to identify the prevalence of pancreatic insufficiency in secondary care gastroenterology clinics and determine if co-morbidity or presenting symptoms could predict diagnosis. A secondary aim was to assess response to treatment.
Methods: A dual centre retrospective analysis was conducted in secondary care gastroenterology clinics. Patients tested for pancreatic exocrine insufficiency with faecal elastase-1 (FEL-1) between 2009 and 2013 were identified in two centres. Demographics, indication and co-morbidities were recorded in addition to dose and response to pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. Binary logistic regression was used to assess if symptoms or co-morbidities could predict pancreatic insufficiency.
Results: 1821 patients were tested, 13.1% had low FEL-1 (<200μg/g). This prevalence was sub-analysed with 5.4% having FEL-1 100-200μg/g (mild insufficiency) and 7.6% having faecal elastase readings <100μg/g. Low FEL-1 was most significantly associated with weight loss or steatorrhoea. Co-morbidity analysis showed that low levels were significantly associated with excess alcohol intake, diabetes mellitus or human immunodeficiency virus; 80.0% treated with enzyme supplements reported symptomatic benefit with no difference in response between high and low dose supplementation (p=0.761).
Conclusion: Targeting the use of FEL-1 in individuals with specific symptoms and associated conditions can lead to improved recognition of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency in a significant proportion of secondary care patients. Intervening with lifestyle advice such as smoking cessation and minimising alcohol intake could improve outcomes. In addition, up to 80% of patients with low faecal elastase respond to supplementation.
Abbreviations: CFA: coefficient of fat absorption; CP: chronic pancreatitis; ELISA: enzyme-linked immune-absorbent assay; PEI: pancreatic exocrine insufficiency; FEL-1: faecal elastase-1; HIV: human immunodeficiency virus; IBD: inflammatory bowel disease; IBS: irritable bowel syndrome; PERT: pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy.