Subclinical pancreatic exocrine insufficiency is associated with osteopathy in patients with chronic pancreatitis: Implications for management

Background and aims: Patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) may develop pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) but data regarding subclinical PEI are scarce. Our objective was to detect subclinical PEI in patients with CP and its functional consequences.

Methods: We prospectively included patients with CP from April 2018-December 2021. Mild PEI and severe PEI were diagnosed if fecal elastase (FE) was 100-200 μg/g and <100 μg/g stool respectively. Vitamin levels and DEXA scan were done to assess functional consequences of PEI. Presence of subclinical PEI in CP (low FE-1 but without steatorrhea) with consequent osteopathy was the primary outcome.

Results: Of 120 patients with CP, subclinical PEI (low FE-1 but no steatorrhea) was present in 84/120(70%) patients: 6/8(75%) in early CP, 41/53(77%) in definite CP and 37/55(67.2%) in advanced CP. Overall, 72.1% patients had osteopathy including 53(62%) among patients with subclinical PEI. There was no difference in osteopathy between subclinical and severe PEI. Patients with severe PEI had lower vitamin A levels as compared to mild PEI and no PEI patients [1.3 ± 0.5 mg/ml vs. 1.7 ± 0.6 mg/ml vs. 1.8 ± 0.5 mg/ml; p = 0.04]. There was no difference in vitamin D levels. Osteopathy was present in 40/56 (71.4%) in advanced, 26/56 (46.4%) in definite and 2/8 (25%) in early CP patients (p = 0.09). On multivariable analysis, patients with advanced CP had the higher risk of osteopathy (odds ratio 7.6, 95% CI 1.9-29.7).

Conclusions: Subclinical PEI was present even in early CP with increased risk of osteopathy and fat-soluble vitamin deficiency.