Prevalence of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in Patients With Decompensated Cirrhosis

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is the inability of the pancreas to perform a normal digestive function. The prevalence of IPE in patients with decompensated hepatic cirrhosis (HC) is unknown and most published series are short, old and use a single diagnostic technique with potential risk of false positives and negatives. Demonstrating IPE in a patient with HC can change their vital prognosis with the indication of pancreatic enzymes that can improve their nutritional status and help control their decompensations. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of IPE in patients with decompensated CH. To establish correlation between fecal elastase and 13C triolein breath test. Methodology: Unicentric, transversal study that will be carried out during hospitalization. Patients with HC who enter for decompensation and requiere hospitalization will be included consecutively. Exclusion criteria will include prior diagnosis of IPE, suspicion of biliary obstruction, more than 5 dep / d induced by laxatives or liquid stools. The diagnosis of IPE will be made with the combination of two techniques (13C triolein breath test and fecal elastase). Demographic, epidemiological data, clinical data as well as anthropometric parameters will be collected. A blood test will also be done to assess nutritional status and associated deficits. A multivariate analysis will be performed to assess the predictive factors of IPE