A prospective crossover study comparing secretin-stimulated endoscopic and Dreiling tube pancreatic function testing in patients evaluated for chronic pancreatitis.
BACKGROUND
Direct pancreatic function tests (PFT) are conventionally performed with use of double-lumen "Dreiling" collection tubes. We have developed an endoscopic collection method (ePFT) that eases the performance of these tests.


OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to compare the bicarbonate results obtained from the secretin ePFT and Dreiling PFT methods in patients evaluated for chronic pancreatitis.


METHODS
A prospective crossover design was used to compare the PFT methods.


METHODS
Tertiary care referral center.


METHODS
Twenty-four patients undergoing an evaluation for chronic pancreatitis underwent the secretin-stimulated ePFT and Dreiling PFT methods on separate days.


METHODS
Duodenal fluid bicarbonate concentrations and estimated bicarbonate outputs were compared.


RESULTS
The mean difference in peak bicarbonate concentration (Dreiling PFT minus ePFT) was 7 mEq/L (SD 20) and not statistically significant (P = .11). A good correlation in peak bicarbonate concentrations (r = 0.74, 95% CI, 0.48-0.88) and estimated bicarbonate output (r = 0.78, 95% CI, 0.54-0.90) was observed between the two PFT methods.


CONCLUSIONS
The sensitivities and specificities of the secretin ePFT and Dreiling PFT could not be compared because of the lack of a histologic gold standard.


CONCLUSIONS
The secretin ePFT yields results similar to those of the Dreiling PFT in patients evaluated for chronic pancreatitis.
Stevens
Tyler
T
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Conwell
Darwin L
DL
Zuccaro
Gregory
G
Van Lente
Frederick
F
Lopez
Rocio
R
Purich
Edward
E
Fein
Seymour
S
D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000378:metabolism; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004386:Duodenum / Q000378:metabolism; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D006801:Humans; D007419:Intestinal Secretions / Q000378:metabolism; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010186:Pancreatic Function Tests / Q000379:methods*; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012633:Secretin; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*
D001639:Bicarbonates; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D012633:Secretin