Diagnostics and treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency: clinical guidelines of the Russian gastroenterological association

Aim of publication. To present the modern concept on the causes and pathogenesis of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) as well as the new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches at this syndrome to general practitioners. Summary. PEI in the state it which secretion of pancreatic enzymes into duodenum is insufficient for normal digestion of nutrients. This syndrome may develop primarily, due to various pancreatic diseases (chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis etc.), and secondarily, at impaired stimulation of pancreatic secretion or impairment of conditions, necessary for the normal action of pancreatic enzymes. Basic clinical manifestations of PEI include maldigestion and malabsorption that lead to development of nutritional failure. No standardized methods of pancreatic exocrine function assessment are developed at the present time, therefore standard diagnostic criteria of PEI are lacking. In routine clinical practice PEI is diagnosed mainly on the basis of decreased pancreatic enzymes activity in stool in patients with verified pancreatic disease but can result in decreased exocrine function. Basic method of PEI treatment is pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). Within 50 years which passed after initial implementation of PERT in clinical practice it was significantly modified, numerous pharmaceutical forms of pancreatin were developed. Anyhow for the purpose of replacement therapy capsules with enteric-coated pancreatin microparticles should be applied. Initial recommended dose of PERT for adult patient is 25’000 lipolytical units per meal that should be subsequently increased up to normalization of patients nutritional status according to both clinical and laboratory scores. Digestive enzymes should be taken at the beginning of the meal, in the case of incomplete response it can be recommended to use antisecretory agents. Patient should be consulted by nutritionist, no significant limitation of fat intake is recommended. Daily ration should be divided into six or more meals. Patients should be motivated to stop both alcohol intake and smoking as they can cause progression of PEI alone and/or persistence of symptoms, like pancreatic pain.