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The BT-PABA/PAS test in tropical diabetes
P Gagee1, P Pemberton, R Lobley
1Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology), Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK.
Clinica Chimica Acta; International Journal of Clinical Chemistry
|November 30, 1992
Summary
The BT-PABA/PAS test effectively screens for chronic pancreatitis in diabetics in tropical regions. This exocrine pancreatic function test shows high accuracy, aiding diagnosis in field surveys.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Tropical Medicine
- Diagnostic Testing
Background:
- Chronic pancreatitis diagnosis in diabetic populations in tropical settings requires a reliable screening tool.
- Exocrine pancreatic function tests are crucial for assessing pancreatic health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of the BT-PABA/PAS test for identifying chronic pancreatitis in diabetic patients within tropical field surveys.
- To assess the performance of the PABA/PAS excretion index (PEI) in this specific demographic and geographical context.
Main Methods:
- The study compared PABA and PAS recoveries in healthy controls from India and England.
- The BT-PABA/PAS test was administered to a study group of diabetic patients, including those with chronic pancreatitis.
- A cut-off value of 0.75 for the PEI was established for analysis.
Main Results:
- Healthy controls from India exhibited lower PABA and PAS recoveries compared to those from England (P < 0.001 for both).
- The PABA/PAS excretion index (PEI) remained consistent across both control groups.
- In the study group, the BT-PABA/PAS test demonstrated a sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 92%, and overall efficiency of 88%.
Conclusions:
- The BT-PABA/PAS test is a valuable screening tool for chronic pancreatitis in diabetic patients in tropical field settings.
- The test's high specificity and negative predictive value support its use for ruling out the condition.
- Further validation in larger, diverse tropical populations is warranted.