The fecal chymotrypsin photometric assay in the evaluation of exocrine pancreatic capacity. Comparison with other direct and indirect pancreatic function tests.
Fecal chymotrypsin (FCT) has been measured by a new photometric method (Monotest Chymotrypsin; Boehringer, Mannheim) in 78 patients: 44 with chronic pancreatitis and 34 not affected by any pancreatic disease. The results were compared with those from other tests of pancreatic secretory (secretin-cerulein test) and digestive [serum and urinary p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and pancreolauryl] capacity. When FCT values were severely reduced (below 6.7 U/g), from 90 to 100% of the patients also presented abnormal pancreatic secretory and digestive capacity. On the other hand, 87% of the patients with normal FCT (above 20 U/g) presented normal secretory and digestive capacity. Patients with intermediate FCT values (between 6.7 and 20 U/g) showed normal or abnormal pancreatic secretory and digestive capacity with the same probability. Therefore, FCT, carried out as a first test, seems to identify subjects that need no further pancreatic function tests (normal and severely impaired FCT) and patients who need other more complex functional investigations (intermediate FCT values).
Cavallini
G
G
Medical Clinic, University of Verona, Italy.
Benini
L
L
Brocco
G
G
Riela
A
A
Bovo
P
P
Pederzoli
P
P
Angelini
G
G
Pelle
C
C
Bertelli
G
G
Scuro
L A
LA
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D002108:Ceruletide; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002918:Chymotrypsin / Q000032:analysis*; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D004386:Duodenum / Q000201:enzymology; D005243:Feces / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D010179:Pancreas / Q000201:enzymology*; D010186:Pancreatic Function Tests; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology; D012016:Reference Values; D012633:Secretin; D013053:Spectrophotometry / Q000379:methods
D015415:Biomarkers; D012633:Secretin; D002108:Ceruletide; D002918:Chymotrypsin