Should we Investigate Gastroenterology Patients for Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency? A Dual Centre UK Study.
OBJECTIVE
Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency may be under recognised in gastroenterological practice. We aimed to identify the prevalence of pancreatic insufficiency in secondary care gastroenterology clinics and determine if co-morbidity or presenting symptoms could predict diagnosis. A secondary aim was to assess response to treatment.


METHODS
A dual centre retrospective analysis was conducted in secondary care gastroenterology clinics. Patients tested for pancreatic exocrine insufficiency with faecal elastase-1 (FEL-1) between 2009 and 2013 were identified in two centres. Demographics, indication and co-morbidities were recorded in addition to dose and response to pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. Binary logistic regression was used to assess if symptoms or co-morbidities could predict pancreatic insufficiency.


RESULTS
1821 patients were tested, 13.1% had low FEL-1 (<200µg/g). This prevalence was sub-analysed with 5.4% having FEL-1 100-200µg/g (mild insufficiency) and 7.6% having faecal elastase readings <100µg/g. Low FEL-1 was most significantly associated with weight loss or steatorrhoea. Co-morbidity analysis showed that low levels were significantly associated with excess alcohol intake, diabetes mellitus or human immunodeficiency virus; 80.0% treated with enzyme supplements reported symptomatic benefit with no difference in response between high and low dose supplementation (p=0.761).


CONCLUSIONS
Targeting the use of FEL-1 in individuals with specific symptoms and associated conditions can lead to improved recognition of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency in a significant proportion of secondary care patients. Intervening with lifestyle advice such as smoking cessation and minimising alcohol intake could improve outcomes. In addition, up to 80% of patients with low faecal elastase respond to supplementation.
Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield,Sheffield, S10 2RX; Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK.Jennifer.campbell@sth.nhs.uk.
Jennifer A
JA
Campbell
Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2RX; Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK.
David S
DS
Sanders
Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK.
Katherine A
KA
Francis
Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK.
Matthew
M
Kurien
James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, UK.
Sai
S
Lee
James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, UK.
Hatim
H
Taha
James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, UK.
Arvind
A
Ramadas
James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, UK; Johns Hopkins Aramco Hospital, Dhahran 34465, Saudi Arabia.
Diamond
D
Joy
Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK.
Andrew D
AD
Hopper
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D015897:Comorbidity; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D056947:Enzyme Replacement Therapy; D010188:Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005762:Gastroenterology; D006801:Humans; D008049:Lipase / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016015:Logistic Models; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000032:analysis*; D010186:Pancreatic Function Tests / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D063127:Secondary Health Care; D045602:Steatorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss
D015415:Biomarkers; D008049:Lipase; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase