Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
Noninvasive testing options to diagnose and monitor
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), which is characterized by a lack of exocrine pancreatic enzymes and results in an inability to properly digest food, has both genetic and idiopathic causes. Our full suite of EPI testing includes traditional 48- and 72-hour fecal fat evaluations for steatorrhea, which is indicative of EPI; less-invasive pancreatic elastase testing, which requires just one stool sample; and genetic testing to confirm hereditary pancreatitis, which can involve EPI.
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency Test menu
Pancreatic elastase testing
Many patients find the stool collection process for fecal fat testing cumbersome and difficult to tolerate, which can impact compliance. To help make this process easier for patients, we offer pancreatic elastase testing (frequently called fecal elastase) that requires only a single stool collection to measure the level of the elastase enzyme within stool.
Key testing
Advantages
- Measures levels of the elastase enzyme to evaluate appropriateness for digestion and maintaining adequate pancreatic function.
- Facilitates diagnosis of EPI in cases of unexplained diagnosis, constipation, steatorrhea, flatulence, weight loss, upper abdominal pain, and food intolerances.
- Assists in monitoring EPI patients with cystic fibrosis, diabetes mellitus, or chronic pancreatitis.
Highlights
Puanani Hopson, D.O., a Mayo Clinic pediatric gastroenterologist, explains the pancreatic elastase test — a screening test that can be useful when symptoms point to the possibility of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Dr. Hopson reviews when this test should be ordered, how it compares to other test options, and how its results can guide further evaluation.
Genetic testing for hereditary pancreatitis
Our hereditary pancreatitis testing uses genetic sequencing to detect single nucleotide and copy number variants in four genes associated with hereditary pancreatitis.
Key testing
- PANGP | Expanded Pancreatitis Gene Panel, Varies
- This test utilizes next-generation sequencing to detect single nucleotide and copy number variants in nine genes associated with an increased risk for pancreatitis: CASR, CEL, CFTR, CLDN2, CPA1, CTRC, PRSS1, SPINK1, TRPV6.
- Identification of a disease-causing variant or risk allele may assist with diagnosis, prognosis, clinical management, recurrence risk assessment, familial screening, and genetic counseling for pancreatitis.
- Confirms clinical diagnosis of familial or hereditary pancreatitis in patients with chronic pancreatitis.
- Identifies gene mutations that contribute to pancreatitis in an individual or family.
- Identifies gene mutations to allow for predictive and diagnostic testing in family members.
Highlights
Linda Hasadsri, M.D., Ph.D., and Huong Cabral, M.S., CGC, explain how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' expanded test panel captures rarer as well as more common genetic causes of hereditary pancreatitis. That information is key to managing patients' enhanced risk for pancreatic cancer.
Clinically relevant overview of key genetic factors, testing strategies, and post-result care.
Linda Hasadsri, M.D., Ph.D., and Huong T. Cabral, M.S., C.G.C., explain how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' targeted test panel facilitates accurate diagnosis of hereditary pancreatitis, which heightens the risk for pancreatic cancer. Test results can guide cancer monitoring for patients and their families.