Faecal elastase 1 concentration is a marker of duodenal enteropathy.
BACKGROUND
Measurement of faecal elastase (FE1) is used widely to screen for pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PI). FE1 does not allow differentiation of primary from secondary PI.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relation between duodenal morphology and FE1 in children with secondary PI resulting from primary gastrointestinal diseases.


METHODS
A group of 51 children underwent small intestinal biopsy and FE1 measurement. Villus to crypt ratio (VCR) and inflammation within the lamina propria of duodenal mucosal biopsy specimens were scored and compared with FE1 values.


RESULTS
In 51 children from nine diagnostic categories, a highly significant correlation between FE1 and both duodenal morphology and inflammation was found.


CONCLUSIONS
Small bowel enteropathy is associated with low FE1 concentrations, indicative of secondary exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
Schäppi
M G
MG
Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK.
Smith
V V
VV
Cubitt
D
D
Milla
P J
PJ
Lindley
K J
KJ
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups; D004378:Duodenal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004382:Duodenitis / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D010188:Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology; D005243:Feces / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000032:analysis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D015415:Biomarkers; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase