Test for Pancreatic Insufficiency

Pancreatic elastase remains stable during gastrointestinal transit and can thus be detected in feces with the elastase test. There is strong evidence that diabetes is very closely linked to the exocrine pancreas, so the test is recommended for diabetics with poor metabolic control, especially children and adolescents.

A field study of 463 type 1 and type 2 diabetics found that more than 40% of the otherwise normal patients had fecal elastase 1 concentrations below 100 ug/g, suggesting the presence of clinically relevant pancreatic insufficiency. Another 40% had values in the normal range, while 16% were classified as marginal. Results were unrelated to a patient's type of diabetes treatment, age, or gender. The study also revealed no relationship with body weight. However, the duration of diabetic illness appeared important. The longer the patient has had diabetes, the more likely that pancreatic insufficiency will develop.

If pancreatic insufficiency remains undiagnosed and untreated for a prolonged period, deficiency states increasingly develop because nutrients are inadequately metabolized. The elastase 1 test is the product of Schebo-Biotech AG (Giessen, Germany). An elastase 1 serum test is also available.




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