Testing Options for Patients with Chronic Diarrhea: A Focus on Bile Acid Malabsorption

By MCL Education • March 10, 2023

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Until now, the prevailing laboratory test for bile acid malabsorption required a 48-hour fecal specimen. Studies show that more than 25% of patients with IBS-D are suffering from bile acid malabsorption. If identified, therapies are readily available.

This presentation will describe a new serum test for bile acid malabsorption. Descriptions will be given to illustrate how the test can be used as a screening test and as a tool for therapeutic action.

Presenters

Michael Camilleri, M.D., D.Sc.
Consultant, Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology and Physiology, College of Medicine
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Leslie Donato, Ph.D.
Consultant, Clinical Core Laboratory Services
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Associate Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, College of Medicine
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Learning Objectives

• Recognize the high frequency of bile acid malabsorption in patients suffering from chronic diarrhea.
• Identify strengths and weaknesses of the new and existing approaches to diagnosis.
• Investigate becoming a user of the new approach in routine clinical practice.

Intended Audience

This webinar is designed for any provider who sees patients with chronic diarrhea (e.g., gastroenterologists, hepatologists, and practitioners in primary care internal medicine and family care) as well as pathologists, laboratory directors, and laboratory sendout coordinators.

Mayo Medical Laboratories is not an applicable manufacturer or applicable group purchasing organization (GPO). (GPOs, per the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and this program do not trigger any reporting requirements pursuant to Open Payments [Sunshine Act] legislation.)

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This post was developed by our Education and Technical Publications Team.