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Sub-Category:

Digestive Enzyme Deficiencies

Number of Conditions: 1

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Pancreatic Disorders

Sub-category: Digestive Enzyme Deficiencies

Symptoms:
steatorrhea (fatty stools); diarrhea; weight loss; abdominal pain; bloating; malnutrition; vitamin deficiencies (a, d, e, k)

Root Cause:
Insufficient production of digestive enzymes by the pancreas, leading to impaired digestion and nutrient absorption.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Fecal elastase-1 test, direct pancreatic function tests, imaging studies (CT or MRI) to identify underlying pancreatic pathology.

Treatment:
Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), dietary modifications (low-fat diet, supplementation of fat-soluble vitamins).

Medications:
Pancreatic enzyme supplements like pancrelipase (Creon, Zenpep, Pancrease); these contain lipase, protease, and amylase to aid digestion.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Estimated prevalence varies; more common in individuals with chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, or pancreatic surgery.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, pancreatic surgery, alcoholism.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with proper enzyme replacement and dietary management; untreated EPI can lead to severe malnutrition and quality-of-life impairment.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Malnutrition, osteoporosis, chronic diarrhea, increased risk of infections due to vitamin deficiencies.