The folic acid absorption test compared with other laboratory tests for malabsorption

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Diagnostic Medicine
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Intestinal malabsorption diagnosis requires accurate assessment of nutrient absorption.
• Existing diagnostic tests include fecal lipid excretion, Schilling test, and D-xylose test.
• The folic acid urinary excretion (TRIFA) test is a potential new diagnostic tool.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic utility of the TRIFA test in patients with malabsorption.
• To compare the TRIFA test's performance against established malabsorption tests.
• To determine the TRIFA test's correlation with fecal lipid excretion, Schilling test, and D-xylose test.

Main Methods:

• The TRIFA test was performed on 25 patients diagnosed with malabsorption.
• Results were compared with measurements of fecal lipid excretion (steatorrhoea).
• Comparative analysis included the Schilling test and the D-xylose test.

Main Results:

• No significant correlation was found between TRIFA test results and fecal lipid excretion.
• No significant correlation was observed between the TRIFA test and the Schilling test.
• A fair correlation was noted between the TRIFA test and the D-xylose test.

Conclusions:

• The TRIFA test is not a substitute for fecal lipid excretion tests in diagnosing intestinal malabsorption.
• The TRIFA test primarily assesses absorptive capacity in the upper small intestine, complementing the Schilling test (lower intestine).
• The TRIFA test offers practical advantages over the D-xylose test for clinical application.