Comparison of steatocrit and fat absorption in persons with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is a common problem in persons with cystic fibrosis causing malabsorption and poor growth. The 72-hour fecal fat study is the best qualitative measure of fat malabsorption used in clinical practice. This test has several drawbacks, which include cost and logistics.

Ranitidine and omeprazole as adjuvant therapy to pancrelipase to improve fat absorption in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Inadequate treatment of pancreatic insufficiency in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) causes malabsorption of nutrients with significant sequelae. The objective of this study was to measure the effect of acid suppressant therapy on fat absorption in patients with CF who received a pH-sensitive, enteric-coated microtablet enzyme product.

Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of 12 children and 10 adults with pancreatic insufficient CF was performed.