The investigation and management of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) is associated with significant gastrointestinal symptoms, but is readily treated by pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). We reviewed our current practice and examined the factors that predict repeating a positive faecal elastase-1 (FE1; <200 μg/g), the repeat FE1 being normal, initiation of PERT and clinical response to treatment. A single-centre retrospective cohort study was conducted. Outpatients with FE1 <200 μg/g between 2012 and 2018 were included. Logistic regression was used to explore the associations with each outcome, with statistical adjustment for confounders. Two-hundred and ten patients were included; 28.1% of patients had their FE1 repeated, 47.5% of whom had a normal repeat result. Patients with initial FE1 <15 μg/g were unlikely to be reclassified on repeat testing. Patients with a confirmatory low FE1, abnormal pancreatic imaging or abnormal nutrition blood tests were more likely to be started on PERT (all p<0.05). Patients with abnormal pancreatic imaging were 10 times more likely to respond to PERT (odds ratio 10.70; 95% confidence interval 1.62-70.70; p=0.01). Augmenting clinical judgement with pancreatic imaging and repeat FE1 testing could improve the rate of PERT prescription and inform the approach to non-response, particularly in cases where there is diagnostic doubt.