Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0232487 (abdominal discomfort)
 1,724 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency caused by chronic pancreatitis results from various factors which regulate digestion and absorption of nutrients. Pancreatic function has been extensively studied over the last 40 years, even if some aspects of secretion and gastrointestinal adaptation are not completely understood. The main clinical manifestations of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency are fat malabsorption, known as steatorrhea, which consists of fecal excretion of more than 6 g of fat per day, weight loss, abdominal discomfort and abdominal swelling sensation. Fat malabsorption also results in a deficit of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) with consequent clinical manifestations. The relationships between pancreatic maldigestion, intestinal ecology and intestinal inflammation have not received particular attention, even if in clinical practice these mechanisms may be responsible for the low efficacy of pancreatic extracts in abolishing steatorrhea in some patients. The best treatments for pancreatic maldigestion should be re-evaluated, taking into account not only the correction of pancreatic insufficiency using pancreatic extracts and the best duodenal pH to permit optimal efficacy of these extracts, but we also need to consider other therapeutic approaches including the decontamination of intestinal lumen, supplementation of bile acids and, probably, the use of probiotics which may attenuate intestinal inflammation in chronic pancreatitis patients.
 ...
PMID:Chronic pancreatitis: maldigestion, intestinal ecology and intestinal inflammation. 1936 Sep 10

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a serious condition which occurs in several diseases including chronic pancreatitis (CP), cystic fibrosis, pancreatic cancer, and as a result of pancreatic surgery. The lack or absence of pancreatic enzymes leads to an inadequate absorption of fat, proteins, and carbohydrates, causing steatorrhoea and creathorrhea which results in abdominal discomfort, weight loss, and nutritional deficiencies. To avoid malnutrition related morbidity and mortality, it is pivotal to commence pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) as soon as EPI is diagnosed. Factors as early acidic inactivation of ingested enzymes, under dosage, and patient incompliance may prevent normalisation of nutrient absorption, in particular of fat digestion. This review focuses on the current status of how to diagnose and treat EPI.
 ...
PMID:Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy in chronic pancreatitis. 2051 Aug 33

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is characterized by a deficiency of exocrine pancreatic enzymes, resulting in deficits in digestion of all macronutrients, with deficiencies in digestion of fats being the most clinically relevant. The leading cause of EPI is chronic pancreatitis. However, many other causes and conditions may be implicated, including cystic fibrosis, pancreatic duct obstruction, gastric and pancreatic surgery, diabetes mellitus and other conditions. Physical and biochemical causes of EPI include decreased production and secretion of lipase, increased lipase destruction, pancreatic duct obstruction, decreased lipase stimulation and degradation, as well as gastrointestinal motility disorders. EPI is largely diagnosed clinically, and is often identified by symptoms such as steatorrhea, weight loss, abdominal discomfort, and abdominal bloating. Lifestyle modifications (eg, smoking cessation, limiting or avoiding alcoholic drinks, and reducing dietary fat intake) and exogenous pancreatic enzyme supplements are commonly used to help restore normal digestion and absorption of dietary nutrients in patients with EPI.
 ...
PMID:A primer on exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, fat malabsorption, and fatty acid abnormalities. 2872 74