Exocrine pancreatic disease and the malabsorption syndrome in tropical Africa.

Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy

Patients with chronic pancreatic insufficiency develop improper digestion due to the lack of digestive pancreatic enzymes. Such patients might complain of diarrhea and multi-nutrient deficiencies. Children with cystic fibrosis are at an increased risk of developing pancreatic insufficiency, while adults can develop chronic pancreatitis due to gallbladder disease or alcohol consumption. Regardle...

Emerging Approaches for the Treatment of Fat Malabsorption Due to Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Introduction and practical approach to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency for the practicing clinician

AIMS In exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), the quantity and/or activity of pancreatic digestive enzymes are below the levels required for normal digestion, leading to maldigestion and malabsorption. Diagnosis of EPI is often challenging because the characteristic signs and symptoms overlap with those of other gastrointestinal conditions. Additionally, there is no single convenient, or spe...

Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency after Bariatric Surgery

Morbid obesity is a lifelong disease, and all patients require complementary follow-up including nutritional surveillance by a multidisciplinary team after bariatric procedures. Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) refers to an insufficient secretion of pancreatic enzymes and/or sodium bicarbonate. PEI is a known multifactorial complication after upper gastrointestinal surgery, and might con...

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Exocrine pancreatic insuffiency is loss of ability to properly digest food due to inadequate pancreatic enzyme activity. The etiology of exocrine pancreatic insuffiency, in humans, is mostly chronic pancreatitis or diseases affecting pancreas such as cytsic fibrosis, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome. It may also occur as a complication of gastric or pancreatic surgical procedures due to decrease of e...