Inability of the exocrine pancreas to produce and secrete an adequate amount of digestive enzymes into the small intestine. Patients present with symptoms of malabsorption syndrome, abdominal discomfort, and bloating. Causes include chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, and autoimmune disorders.
Symptoms of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
The following features are indicative of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency:
weight loss
fatigue
steatorrhea
edema
anemia
bleeding disorders
metabolic bone disease
neurologic manifestation
hypocalcemia
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Common Causes of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
The following are the most common causes of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency:
chronic pancreatitis
cystic fibrosis
Risk Factors for Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency:
sepsis
diabetes
cardiac arrest
hyperlactacidemia
shock
invasive mechanical ventilation
haemodialysis
Prevention of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
stop smoking
avoid alcohol consumption
dietary consultation
Occurrence of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency cases seen each year worldwide:
Very common > 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency:
Fecal elastase test: To determine the disorder of pancreas
Fecal fat test: To measure the amount of fat in feces
Pancreatic function test: To diagnose pancreas problems
Doctor for Diagnosis of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency:
Gastroenterologist
Complications of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency if untreated
Yes, Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency is left untreated:
malnutrition-related complications
cardiovascular events
Procedures for Treatment of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
The following procedures are used to treat Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency:
Pancreatic enzyme replacement products: To break down fats, proteins and carbohydrates
Last updated date
This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency.