Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 14, 2025
Quantifying the Modulation of Elastase Enzyme Activity Through Colorimetric Analysis
Published on: January 17, 2025
Fecal elastase levels in children diagnosed with functional abdominal pain-not otherwise specified
Burcu Güven1, Nuriye Burçin Turan2, Ahmet Fayik Öner3
1Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Medicine, Trabzon, Turkey.
Insights
Children with functional abdominal pain-not otherwise specified (FAP-NOS) show lower fecal elastase-1 (FE-1) levels, indicating potential malabsorption. This suggests FE-1 may aid in diagnosing FAP-NOS in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Digestive Diseases
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Functional gastrointestinal diseases (FGIDs) have unclear pathophysiology, with potential links to visceral hypersensitivity, motility disorders, psychological factors, inflammation, microbiota, and post-infectious syndromes.
- Functional abdominal pain-not otherwise specified (FAP-NOS) is a common FGID in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate pancreatic exocrine function in children diagnosed with FAP-NOS using Rome IV criteria.
- To assess the diagnostic utility of fecal elastase-1 (FE-1) in identifying FAP-NOS in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 110 children (aged 4-17) diagnosed with FAP-NOS was compared to 80 healthy controls.
- Levels of glucose, amylase, lipase, pancreatic amylase, immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT), and fecal elastase-1 (FE-1) were measured in both groups.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in lipase, pancreatic amylase, IRT, or glucose levels between groups.
- Amylase levels were higher, and FE-1 levels were significantly lower in the FAP-NOS group (p < 0.001).
- FE-1 demonstrated a sensitivity of 82.1% and specificity of 66.2% for diagnosing FAP-NOS, with a cut-off value of 140.107 μg/g.
Conclusions:
- Children with FAP-NOS exhibit significantly lower FE-1 levels, suggesting pancreatic insufficiency or malabsorption.
- Reduced FE-1 levels may be secondary to dysbiosis-related malabsorption, though further research is needed.
- FE-1 shows promise as a diagnostic biomarker for FAP-NOS in pediatric populations.
Background:
Although the exact pathophysiology of functional gastrointestinal diseases remains unclear, numerous etiologies have been blamed, including visceral hypersensitivity, gastrointestinal motility disorders, psychological factors, intestinal mucosal inflammation, intestinal microbiota, and post-infectious syndromes. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate pancreatic insufficient patients diagnosed with functional abdominal pain-not otherwise specified (FAP-NOS) according to Rome IV criteria.
Methods:
The study included a total of 110 patients aged 4-17 years who were diagnosed with FAP-NOS according to Rome IV criteria. The control group consisted of 80 patients with no gastrointestinal disorders and chronic diseases. Glucose, amylase, lipase, pancreatic amylase, immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT) and fecal elastase (FE-1) levels were examined for each patient.
Results:
No significant difference was found between the two groups with regard to lipase, pancreatic amylase, IRT, and serum glucose levels. However, the amylase levels were significantly higher and the FE-1 levels were significantly lower in the study group compared to the control group (p=0.007 and p < 0.001). The cut-off value detected in in ROC analysis for the diagnostic value of FE-1 in predicting FAP-NOS was found to be 140.107 μg/g. Based on this value, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of FE-1 were 82.1%, 66.2%, 77%, 73%, respectively. Accordingly, the likelihood of FE-1 in providing a positive value in patients with FAP-NOS was almost 9 times higher than in individuals without FAP-NOS.
Conclusions:
FE-1 levels were significantly lower in children diagnosed with FAP-NOS and we consider that this difference could be attributed to malabsorption secondary to dysbiosis as there is not enough data.
More Related Videos
05:56Implementation of Non-invasive Point of Care Transient Elastography for Evaluation of Liver Disease in Pediatric Populations with Cystic Fibrosis
Published on: August 29, 2025
08:42Using Multi-fluorinated Bile Acids and In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Measure Bile Acid Transport
Published on: November 27, 2016
Related Concept Videos
01:25Assessment of the Rectum and Anus
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
01:28Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Few clinical manifestations differentiate gastric ulcers from duodenal ulcers. Distinctions in the location, timing, and pain relief are crucial for healthcare providers in differentiating between gastric and duodenal ulcers during clinical assessments.
01:30Serum Laboratory Studies, Stool Test, Breath Test
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
01:22Appendicitis-I: Introduction
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...