title: [Serum beta-carotene: a simple static laboratory parameter for the diagnosis of steatorrhea].
abstract: The value of serum beta-carotene concentration as an indicator of steatorrhoea was investigated in 50 patients with steatorrhoea (fecal fat greater than 7 g/day), 53 controls, and 22 patients with gastrointestinal disease without steatorrhoea. In the control group, beta-carotene concentrations were normally distributed when plotted logarithmically. The mean value was 131 micrograms/dl. The lower limit of normal, based on a 2-SD confidence interval, was 47 micrograms/dl. beta-Carotene concentrations and fecal fat excretion were correlated in a reciprocal, hyperbolic function (r = -0.66). Twenty-nine of the 50 patients with steatorrhoea had beta-carotene concentrations less than 47 micrograms/dl (sensitivity 58%; specificity 93%). Referring to an additional cut-off point of 100 micrograms/dl, beta-carotene concentration had a sensitivity of 88%. These data show that low plasma beta-carotene concentrations (less than 47 micrograms/dl) can be regarded a specific and useful indicator of steatorrhoea and thus obviate fecal fat analysis. Values greater than 47 micrograms/dl, however do not exclude steatorrhoea. Based on a two-step interpretation beta-carotene is thus both a useful screening test for steatorrhoea (with a cut-off point of 100 micrograms/dl) and, more important, a valid, simple, and clinically practical alternative for fecal fat analysis (if values are less than 47 micrograms/dl).
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Gastroenterologie, Universität Frankfurt/Main.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lembcke
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Geibel
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kirchhoff
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Lankisch
mesh_terms: D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood*; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005223:Fats / Q000032:analysis; D005243:Feces / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D019207:beta Carotene
chemical_list: D005223:Fats; D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids
vernacular_title: Serum-beta-carotin: ein einfacher statischer Laborparameter für die Diagnostik der Steatorrhoe.