Serum pancreatic enzymes in the elderly.
Immunoreactive trypsin (IRT) and pancreatic lipase were measured in serum from 37 geriatric in-patients (median age 77.5 years) without history of diarrhoea, pancreatic disease, diabetes or acute or chronic alcoholic intake. IRT and pancreatic lipase concentrations/activity were strongly correlated and were markedly elevated when compared with a control population of 22 subjects (median age 27 years). Such elevations in pancreatic enzymes indicate a subclinical damage of exocrine pancreatic tissue. Assessment of exocrine pancreatic function in the geriatric age group should not be based on pancreatic enzyme levels in serum.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D006801:Humans; D008049:Lipase / Q000097:blood*; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry; D010179:Pancreas / Q000201:enzymology*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D014357:Trypsin / Q000097:blood*
D008049:Lipase; D014357:Trypsin