13C-mixed triglyceride breath test for evaluation of pancreatic exocrine function in diabetes mellitus.

Objective: The clinical relevance of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) in diabetic patients is unclear mostly because established function tests are invasive and expensive or lack sensitivity and specificity. A modified version of the noninvasive 13C-mixed triglyceride breath test (13C-MTGT) has recently been shown to detect moderate PEI reliably in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Its sensitivity and specificity in other patient groups are unknown.

A modified ¹³C-mixed triglyceride breath test detects moderate pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.

Objectives: The noninvasive ¹³C-mixed triglyceride breath test (¹³C-MTG-T) has been shown to diagnose severe pancreatic exocrine insufficiency reliably. We hypothesized that sensitivity of the test could be increased by strict limitation of physical activity, correction for gastric emptying velocity, and/or increased lipid dose.

Methods: In 10 healthy volunteers and 9 patients with suspected pancreatic disease, a secretin test, a modified ¹³C-MTG-T (250 mg ¹³C-MTG, 26 g fat, breath samples over 8 hours), and a ¹³C-octanoic acid gastric emptying test were performed.