Observations on the BT PABA/14C-PABA tubeless test of pancreatic function

The diagnostic accuracy of the BT PABA/14C-PABA tubeless test of pancreatic function was assessed in a prospective study of 140 patients. Drug or isotopic interference invalidated 16 tests (11.4%). The sensitivity of the PABA/14C excretion index was 76.7% and the specificity 85.7% using the mean -2 SD value of 0.82 as the cut-off point; 74.4% sensitivity and 95.7% specificity using the mean -3 SD value of 0.76. The potential usefulness and limitations of this modern version of the PABA test are discussed.