Fecal alpha 1-antitrypsin clearance in the differential diagnosis of steatorrhea
Bai, J.C.; Sugai, E.; Morán, C.; Sambuelli, A.; Vázquez, H.; Mazure, R.; Boerr, L.; Mackenzie, D.
Acta Gastroenterologica Latinoamericana 22(2): 95-98
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-9033 PMID: 1300854 Document Number: 393316
We reviewed the fecal fat excretion and alpha 1-antitrypsin clearance results of 160 patients with steatorrhea in whom a final diagnosis was obtained, based on history, physical examination, and radiological, functional and morphological tests. Twenty-two patients had pancreatic diseases and 138 had steatorrhea due to gastrointestinal diseases. alpha 1-antitrypsin clearance was invariably normal in chronic pancreatitis, but there was only a 23 to 50% of correct etiological classification when the combination of steatorrhea and normal alpha 1-antitrypsin clearance was present. However, none of our patients diagnosed of chronic pancreatitis had abnormal alpha 1-antitrypsin clearance. The combination of steatorrhea and normal clearance of alpha 1-antitrypsin was a modest clue for diagnosis of pancreatic malabsorption.