title: Screening for macroamylase in a community hospital.
abstract: We evaluated the polyethylene glycol precipitation test (Gastroenterology 83: 378-382, 1982), looking for macroamylase in the serum of 66 patients whose values for serum amylase were above normal. Three patients (4.5%) were identified by this method as having macroamylase , and this was confirmed by gel-filtration chromatography and electrophoresis. We find this to be the test of choice as a screening procedure for macroamylasemia because of its speed, simplicity, and apparent reliability. Diagnosis of macroamylasemia is important in preventing needless treatment and investigation for pancreatitis.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols
chemical_list: D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D000681:Amylases; C001663:macroamylase