Use of pancreatic enzyme supplements for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

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Created On: 16/06/2023

This study aimed to examine if pancreatic enzyme supplements are better than (i) placebo for the management of fat malabsorption and (ii) other supplements on the basis of randomized cross-over trials.

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Key take away

In patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, the use of pancreatic enzyme supplements is associated with improvement in fat malabsorption.

Background

Method

For identifying suitable studies, a computer-assisted search of EMBASE and MEDLINE was executed. With the aid of prespecified forms, extraction of data was done on study design, betterment in coefficient of fat absorption, diarrhea, and adverse events.

Result

Twelve manuscripts in all met the requirements for inclusion. The majority of research (10/12) evaluated pancreatic enzyme supplements that employed various delivery methods while utilizing comparable enzyme dosages. These studies discovered no discernible variation in gastrointestinal symptoms or fat malabsorption between various active therapies.

Pancreatic enzyme supplements outperformed placebo for fat absorption in two modest placebo-controlled studies with a total of 65 patients. There is insufficient data to assess whether pancreatic enzyme supplements cause weight gain or a reduction in diarrhea.

Conclusion

Pancreatic enzyme supplements seem to effectively improve fat malabsorption, according to evidence from randomized cross-over trials. No particular brand of medication or delivery method was better than another for treating fat malabsorption in people having exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.