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[The specificity of peptide-PABA-test (author's transl)]
Zeitschrift Fur Gastroenterologie
|May 1, 1979
Summary
The peptic-PABA test effectively assesses exocrine pancreatic function, showing significantly lower PABA excretion in chronic pancreatitis patients compared to controls. This test is reliable across various demographics and gastrointestinal conditions.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pancreatic Physiology
- Diagnostic Testing
Background:
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is a condition affecting digestion and nutrient absorption.
- Accurate assessment of pancreatic exocrine function is crucial for diagnosing and managing gastrointestinal disorders.
- The N-benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-p-aminobenzoic acid (peptic-PABA) test is a non-invasive method to evaluate pancreatic exocrine function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of the peptic-PABA test in assessing exocrine pancreatic function.
- To compare PABA excretion levels in patients with chronic pancreatitis versus healthy controls.
- To determine the test's reliability in patients with various gastrointestinal diseases and conditions.
Main Methods:
- Oral administration of N-benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-p-aminobenzoic acid (peptic-PABA test).
- Measurement of para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) excretion in urine over 6 hours.
- Study population included 120 controls, 74 chronic pancreatitis patients, 35 acute pancreatitis patients, 201 with other GI diseases, and 10 with anorexia nervosa.
Main Results:
- Healthy controls excreted 70% +/- 18% of the PABA dose, while chronic pancreatitis patients excreted only 40% +/- 13%.
- The test showed 9% false negatives and 17.5% false positives in the chronic pancreatitis group.
- Test results were not significantly affected by age, sex, stomach resection, cholecystectomy, or recovery from acute pancreatitis; however, diminished excretion was noted in liver disease, small intestine inflammation, and anorexia nervosa.
Conclusions:
- The peptic-PABA test is a valuable tool for assessing exocrine pancreatic function, particularly in differentiating chronic pancreatitis from healthy states.
- The test demonstrates good reliability across diverse patient groups, with minimal distortion in conditions like post-surgery or other GI diseases.
- Further investigation may be warranted for interpreting borderline results in patients with liver or small intestinal conditions.