Pancreatic enzyme treatment in chronic pancreatitis: Quality of management and adherence to guidelines–A cross-sectional observational study

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  • Friedemann Erchinger
  • Erling Tjora
  • Ingrid Kvåle Nordaas
  • Georg Dimcevski
  • Søren Schou Olesen
  • Nanna Jensen
  • Dahl, Eva Efsen
  • Anders Borch
  • Camilla Nøjgaard
  • Novovic, Srdjan
  • Giedrus Barauskas
  • Povilas Ignatavicius
  • Miroslav Vujasinovic
  • Matthias Lőhr
  • Johanna Laukkarinen
  • Mikael Parhiala
  • Asbjørn Mohr Drewes
  • Trond Engjom

Objectives: Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) is a common complication in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP), leading to increased morbidity and mortality if not treated adequately. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy|pancreas enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) is the cornerstone in treatment of patients with PEI. In the present study, we use data from the Scandinavian Baltic Pancreatic Club database to examine adherence of PERT according to United European Gastroenterology evidence-based guidelines treatment of CP. Patients and methods: Patients with definitive or probable CP according to M-ANNHEIM diagnostic criteria were included. We collected information on exposures, exocrine function, intake of pancreatic enzymes, and markers of nutrition. Fecal elastase <200 μg/g was defined as a marker for PEI. Enzyme replacement therapy of 100,000 lipase units or more was defined as adequate treatment. Results: We included 1006 patients from 8 centers in five countries. Sixty-four percent of the patients were correctly treated. Twenty-five per cent of PEI patients were not taking enzymes at all, and 20% of PEI patients were undertreated with insufficient PERT doses according to the guidelines. Fourteen percent of patients with sufficient pancreatic function were receiving enzymes despite normal exocrine pancreatic function. There were center differences. Current smoking was associated with lack of treatment and alcohol abuse was associated with under-treatment. There were no associations between “no treatment” or “under-treatment” for underweight or vitamin D deficiency. Conclusion: In our CP expert centers, the adherence to guidelines for enzyme treatment is insufficient. Both patient factors and center differences have influence on treatment adherence.

Original languageEnglish
JournalUnited European Gastroenterology Journal
Volume10
Issue number8
Pages (from-to)844-853
Number of pages10
ISSN2050-6406
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Authors. United European Gastroenterology Journal published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of United European Gastroenterology.

    Research areas

  • chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, scandinavian baltic pancreatic club, United European Gastroenterology

ID: 329752256