Measurement of fasting breath hydrogen concentration as a simple diagnostic method for pancreatic exocrine insufficiency

Abstract Background Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) is associated with the outcome of pancreatic disease. However, there no method for assessing PEI that can be used noninvasively and easily outpatient. It has been reported changes in intestinal bacteria caused by may increase breath hydrogen concentration (BHC) levels during glucose or lactose loading. We have evaluated usefulness fasting (FBHC) measurement without loading evaluation PEI. Methods Sixty patients underwent FBHC measurement, BT-PABA testing, microbiome analysis. They were classified into group (PABA excretion rate < 73.4%, n = 30) non-PEI (n 30). The two groups compared, diagnostic ability them was evaluated. 16 s rRNA (V3–V4) from fecal samples analyzed MiSeq. Results higher 15.70 (1.4 to 77.0) ppm than 2.80 (0.7 28.2) ( P 0.0001). negatively correlated PABA (r ? 0.523, 0.001). cutoff value 10.7 (95% CI: 0.678–0.913, 0.001) showed a sensitivity 73.3% specificity 83.3% diagnosis. In group, significant relative abundance phylum Firmicutes 0.05) genus Clostridium 0.05). Conclusion shows good potential as simple repeatable test diagnosis elevated hydrogen-producing such .