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

This proposal uses a blood test detection method for EPI specifically designed to detect fat malabsorption in the setting of inadequate release of pancreatic digestive enzymes. The purpose of using it in this study is to identify mild and moderate EPI, for which to date no reliable test exists. The MBT evaluates the absorption of heptadecanoic acid (HA), a fatty acid dependent on lipase to release it from more complex form before it can be absorbed. Steatorrhea (fatty diarrhea) is a symptom present in over half of subjects with severe EPI, but is frequently not present in mild or moderate forms of EPI. In the absence of overt steatorrhea, there exists no reliable test to detect mild or moderate EPI in subjects with RAP or CP or track response to treatment. Without detection, RAP and CP subjects are at risk for malnutrition if they cannot properly absorb dietary fat and nutrients, and simultaneously significant weight loss, sarcopenia, osteopathy, nutritional deficiencies, GI symptoms and QOL. There is a clear medical need to identify subjects with pancreatic fat malabsorption who will benefit from treatment for EPI - pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). In the proposed work, the investigators will enroll 80 subjects with RAP or CP who do not have steatorrhea or known severe EPI, and perform the MBT before and after 5 days of PERT therapy to identify subjects with fat malabsorption responsive to PERT. The investigators will assess clinical factors that correlate with PERT-responsive fat malabsorption. The primary outcome for assessment of the MBT results will be prevalence of PERT-responsive fat malabsorption. It is anticipated that 33% of subjects will have PERT-responsive fat malabsorption. The investigators will then sequentially enroll 24 PERT-responders to an 8-week pilot randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial of PERT supplementation (144,000 lipase units per day) versus placebo to determine the effects on QOL. The hypothesis is that PERT will result in improvement of QOL defined by a positive change from baseline in the PROMIS 29+2 in PERT-responders. PROMIS Gastrointestinal Scales will be assessed as secondary outcomes. Change in the results of a short physical performance battery and changes in body morphology (weight, BMI) from beginning of the study will be assessed in an exploratory fashion for correlation with PERT administration versus placebo.

Inclusion criteria

• ≥ 18 years of age
• RAP (≥ 2 documented lifetime attacks with ≥ 2 of 3 acute pancreatitis criteria) OR Chronic pancreatitis (Cambridge I or II with documented history of AP OR Cambridge III or IV criteria)
• Fecal elastase ≥ 50 within the preceding 12 months

Exclusion criteria

• Allergy/Intolerance to PERT/MBT
• Taking medications that alter fat absorption or that supplement the fatty acids being studied (e.g. orlistat, ursodeoxycholic acid, Fatty-15 fatty acid supplement etc.)
• Taking GLP-1 Receptor Agonist therapy
• Fecal elastase <50 within preceding 12 months OR pre-existing diagnosis of severe Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, or ongoing steatorrhea
• Receiving Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy for > 5 days within the preceding 30 days
• Acute Pancreatitis attack (documented and meeting at least 2 of 3 criteria) within the preceding 90 days
• History of pancreatic resection or underlying malabsorptive disease
• Pregnant or Breast Feeding
• Other significant medical condition as judged by Principal Investigator