Combining unprotected pancreatic enzymes with pH-sensitive enteric-coated microspheres does not improve nutrient digestion in patients with cystic fibrosis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of combining unprotected powder enzymes and oral enteric-coated microsphere (ECM) and to ECM alone in treating nutrient maldigestion in patients with cystic fibrosis.


METHODS
Patients were randomly assigned into 2 consecutive, 2-week phases; ECM alone, and ECM plus unprotected powder enzymes. Fecal fat, energy, and nitrogen output were compared with intake at the end of each phase. Two-tailed, paired t tests were performed to compare outcomes.


RESULTS
The mean age of the 14 patients (3 girls) was 5.7 +/- 3.2 years (range, 1.9 to 13.4 years). There was no significant difference in percent malabsorption of fat (15.6% vs 18.2%), energy (13.3% vs 13.4%), or nitrogen (11.8% vs 11.3%) between phases.


CONCLUSIONS
The addition of powder enzymes to ECM did not improve nutrient maldigestion compared with ECM alone.
Kalnins
Daina
D
Division of Respiratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1X8.
Corey
Mary
M
Ellis
Lynda
L
Durie
Peter R
PR
Pencharz
Paul B
PB
D000293:Adolescent; D000681:Amylases / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007223:Infant; D008049:Lipase / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008863:Microspheres; D020799:Pancrelipase / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated; D020799:Pancrelipase; D008049:Lipase; D000681:Amylases; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases