Blood Test to Detect Fat Malabsorption and Study Pancreatic Enzyme Therapy Effects on Quality of Life in Adults with Chronic or Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the Malabsorption Blood Test MBT to identify patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis RAP or chronic pancreatitis CP who have mild to moderate exocrine pancreatic insufficiency EPI. The study aims to detect fat malabsorption that current tests cannot reliably identify, especially in patients without obvious symptoms like fatty diarrhea. This is important because undetected EPI can lead to malnutrition, weight loss, muscle loss, bone problems, digestive symptoms, and reduced quality of life QOL. Participants will undergo the MBT twice once without pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy PERT and once with PERT. About 80 patients will have the MBT to find those who respond to PERT. Among these responders, 24 will enter a randomized, placebo-controlled trial for 8 weeks to receive either PERT 144,000 lipase units daily or placebo. The study will compare changes in quality of life and gastrointestinal symptoms between these groups. During the study, participants will have the MBT conducted before and after PERT to assess fat absorption. Researchers will measure quality of life using PROMIS questionnaires and examine physical performance and body changes like weight and body mass index. The study includes safety monitoring and will last 8 weeks for the randomized trial portion, with earlier assessments at around 2 weeks for the initial MBT response.

Malabsorption Blood Test (MBT) to Determine Exocrine Pancreatic Function and Related Quality of Life in Chronic Pancreatitis