Biomaterial Database

13C-starch breath test--comparative clinical evaluation of an indirect pancreatic function test. 1997

C Löser, and A Möllgaard, and S Aygen, and O Hennemann, and U R Fölsch

I. Medical Department, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel.

The clinical relevance of the 13C-starch breath test was evaluated in comparison to the secretin-caerulein test as the "gold standard" of pancreatic function testing, fecal elastase concentration, and fecal chymotrypsin activity in 30 patients with mild (n = 15) or severe (n = 15) exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. 23 patients with gastrointestinal diseases of non-pancreatic origin and 31 healthy volunteers served as controls. 50 g of natural starch of maize were orally administered after a 12-h fast and breath samples were taken before and in 30 min intervals for five hours after oral ingestion and the increase of 13C/12C-isotopic ratio was analyzed by mass spectrometry. Specificity of fecal elastase (93%) and fecal chymotrypsin (93%) for impaired pancreatic function were much higher compared to the various parameters of the 13C-starch breath test (69-74%). Sensitivities of the 13C-starch breath test for all and separately for mild and severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency were higher (total 70-77%) compared to fecal chymotrypsin (total 60%), but lower compared to fecal elastase (total 93%). With regard to the higher sensitivity and specificity, the higher practicability, and the lower costs determination of fecal elastase concentrations is superior to the 13C-starch breath test and therefore remains to be the most reliable indirect pancreatic function test available today.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D010186	Pancreatic Function Tests	Tests based on the biochemistry and physiology of the exocrine pancreas and involving analysis of blood, duodenal contents, feces, or urine for products of pancreatic secretion.	Function Test, Pancreatic,Function Tests, Pancreatic,Pancreatic Function Test,Test, Pancreatic Function,Tests, Pancreatic Function
D010188	Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency	A malabsorption condition resulting from greater than 10% reduction in the secretion of pancreatic digestive enzymes (LIPASE; PROTEASES; and AMYLASE) by the EXOCRINE PANCREAS into the DUODENUM. This condition is often associated with CYSTIC FIBROSIS and with chronic PANCREATITIS.	Pancreatic Insufficiency,Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiencies,Insufficiencies, Exocrine Pancreatic,Insufficiencies, Pancreatic,Insufficiency, Exocrine Pancreatic,Insufficiency, Pancreatic,Pancreatic Insufficiencies,Pancreatic Insufficiencies, Exocrine,Pancreatic Insufficiency, Exocrine
D010195	Pancreatitis	INFLAMMATION of the PANCREAS. Pancreatitis is classified as acute unless there are computed tomographic or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographic findings of CHRONIC PANCREATITIS (International Symposium on Acute Pancreatitis, Atlanta, 1992). The two most common forms of acute pancreatitis are ALCOHOLIC PANCREATITIS and gallstone pancreatitis.	Acute Edematous Pancreatitis,Acute Pancreatitis,Pancreatic Parenchyma with Edema,Pancreatic Parenchymal Edema,Pancreatitis, Acute,Pancreatitis, Acute Edematous,Peripancreatic Fat Necrosis,Acute Edematous Pancreatitides,Acute Pancreatitides,Edema, Pancreatic Parenchymal,Edematous Pancreatitides, Acute,Edematous Pancreatitis, Acute,Fat Necrosis, Peripancreatic,Necrosis, Peripancreatic Fat,Pancreatic Parenchymal Edemas,Pancreatitides, Acute,Pancreatitides, Acute Edematous,Parenchymal Edema, Pancreatic,Peripancreatic Fat Necroses
D012016	Reference Values	The range or frequency distribution of a measurement in a population (of organisms, organs or things) that has not been selected for the presence of disease or abnormality.	Normal Range,Normal Values,Reference Ranges,Normal Ranges,Normal Value,Range, Normal,Range, Reference,Ranges, Normal,Ranges, Reference,Reference Range,Reference Value,Value, Normal,Value, Reference,Values, Normal,Values, Reference
D001944	Breath Tests	Any tests done on exhaled air.	Breathalyzer Tests,Breath Test,Breathalyzer Test,Test, Breath,Test, Breathalyzer,Tests, Breath,Tests, Breathalyzer
D002108	Ceruletide	A specific decapeptide obtained from the skin of Hila caerulea, an Australian amphibian. Caerulein is similar in action and composition to CHOLECYSTOKININ. It stimulates gastric, biliary, and pancreatic secretion; and certain smooth muscle. It is used in paralytic ileus and as diagnostic aid in pancreatic malfunction.	Caerulein,Cerulein,Ceruletid,FI-6934,Takus,FI 6934,FI6934
D002250	Carbon Radioisotopes	Unstable isotopes of carbon that decay or disintegrate emitting radiation. C atoms with atomic weights 10, 11, and 14-16 are radioactive carbon isotopes.	Radioisotopes, Carbon
D002908	Chronic Disease	Diseases which have one or more of the following characteristics: they are permanent, leave residual disability, are caused by nonreversible pathological alteration, require special training of the patient for rehabilitation, or may be expected to require a long period of supervision, observation, or care (Dictionary of Health Services Management, 2d ed). For epidemiological studies chronic disease often includes HEART DISEASES; STROKE; CANCER; and diabetes (DIABETES MELLITUS, TYPE 2).	Chronic Condition,Chronic Illness,Chronically Ill,Chronic Conditions,Chronic Diseases,Chronic Illnesses,Condition, Chronic,Disease, Chronic,Illness, Chronic