Pancreatic exocrine function in patients with chronic liver disease

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Hepatology
• Pancreatic Diseases
• Liver Diseases

Background:

• Chronic liver disease (CLD) prevalence is high globally.
• The impact of CLD on pancreatic exocrine function remains poorly understood.
• Assessing pancreatic function in CLD patients is crucial for comprehensive patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate pancreatic exocrine function in patients with chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
• To determine if CLD is associated with impaired pancreatic exocrine function.
• To evaluate the role of para-amino-benzoic acid (PABA) absorption in PFD test results.

Main Methods:

• Pancreatic exocrine function was assessed using the pancreatic function diagnostic (PFD) test.
• Participants included patients with chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, cirrhosis with HCC, and healthy controls.
• A PABA absorption test was conducted to assess PABA absorption in a subset of patients.

Main Results:

• PFD test values were significantly lower in patients with liver cirrhosis and cirrhosis with HCC compared to controls (P < 0.01).
• Patients with chronic hepatitis showed lower PFD values, but the difference was not statistically significant.
• PABA absorption tests revealed no significant differences between patient groups and controls.

Conclusions:

• Patients with liver cirrhosis and cirrhosis with HCC demonstrate impaired pancreatic exocrine function.
• Chronic liver disease is associated with abnormal pancreatic exocrine function.
• The PFD test is a reliable indicator of pancreatic exocrine dysfunction in CLD.