[Pathogenesis of steatorrhea in chronic diseases of the small intestine]

Altogether 150 patients with chronic enteritis and celiac disease with a history of resection of a part of the ileum were examined. It was established that in patients with chronic enteritis, of importance for the pathogenesis of steatorrhea was the deficiency of bile acids during digestion because of hypokinesia of the gallbladder and partial deconjugation of bile acids in the presence of bacterial dissemination of the small intestine. During celiac disease, steatorrhea was caused by the decreased enzymatic function of the pancreas, asynchronism of the food and bile supply to the intestinal lumen, disorders of absorption of lipolysis products. In patients with large resection of the ileum, steatorrhea was associated with abnormality of the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids, bacterial dissemination of the small intestine and reduction of the absorption surface. A schedule of differentiated therapy is offered.