Fecal alpha 1-antitrypsin clearance in the differential diagnosis of steatorrhea.

Abstract

We reviewed the fecal fat excretion and alpha 1-antitrypsin clearance results of 160 patients with steatorrhea in whom a final diagnosis was obtained, based on history, physical examination, and radiological, functional and morphological tests. Twenty-two patients had pancreatic diseases and 138 had steatorrhea due to gastrointestinal diseases. alpha 1-antitrypsin clearance was invariably normal in chronic pancreatitis, but there was only a 23 to 50% of correct etiological classification when the combination of steatorrhea and normal alpha 1-antitrypsin clearance was present. However, none of our patients diagnosed of chronic pancreatitis had abnormal alpha 1-antitrypsin clearance. The combination of steatorrhea and normal clearance of alpha 1-antitrypsin was a modest clue for diagnosis of pancreatic malabsorption.

• Authors: J C Bai, E Sugai, C Morán, A Sambuelli, H Vázquez, R Mazure, L Boerr, D Mackenzie
• Journal: Acta gastroenterologica Latinoamericana (Acta Gastroenterol Latinoam) Vol. 22 Issue 2 Pg. 95-8 ( 1992) ISSN: 0300-9033 [Print] Argentina
• PMID: 1300854 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• alpha 1-Antitrypsin

Topics

• Celiac Disease (diagnosis, metabolism)
• Feces (chemistry)
• Humans
• alpha 1-Antitrypsin (metabolism)