Enzyme Suppletion in Exocrine Pancreatic Dysfunction

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Treatment of exocrine insufficiency (EPI) consists of pancreatic enzyme replacement according to the fat intake. Prescribing a sufficient dose of pancreatic enzymes is mandatory for the treatment to be effective. In addition, consultation of a specialized dietician is pivotal to educate patients about the proper use of pancreatic enzymes. However, based on a recent prospective survey in the Netherlands amongst chronic pancreatitis patients, it seems that enzymes are underused and a dietician is seldom consulted. The aim of this study is to assess if there is a difference in efficacy of pancreatic enzymes in a self-dosage regimen after extensive patient-education in comparison to the standard treatment for patients with EPI.

Detailed Description
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This is a prospective, open, comparative study with a linear design with two sequential phases (observatory, then patient-monitored). The research population consists of patients who are treated with pancreatic enzymes (< 6 capsules p/d containing 25,000 units of lipase) for exocrine insufficiency caused by chronic pancreatitis. After inclusion, patients will discontinue taking pancreatic enzymes during one week (wash-out period). The last four days of this week, a fecal fat balance test will be performed to quantify the fecal fat loss without enzyme correction. If the fecal fat excretion is less than 15%, this is considered normal and therefore the patient will be excluded from the study. Subsequently, the next three weeks of the trial the patient will restart using the same dose of pancreatic enzymes the way it was prescribed before inclusion. The last four days of the fourth week, a fecal fat balance test will be repeated to quantify the fecal fat loss with enzyme correction. After this test the intervention takes place, consisting of a standardised education of the patient by a dietician. In the second phase of four weeks, patients are stimulated to use this information to self-dose the amount of pancreatic enzymes according to the fat content of their diet. In the last week of the study a fecal fat balance test will be repeated. The primary endpoint is the fecal fat excretion. Secondary endpoints are the change in enzyme dose after intervention, improvement of complaints (e.g. steatorrhoea related complaints, abdominal cramps, abdominal pain), change in dietary habits, patient satisfaction, quality of life, evaluation of the nutritional status, and the occurrence of side effects. Because the maximum amount of 16 capsules of pancreatic enzymes a day according to the standard guidelines will not be exceeded in this trial, no risks are foreseen. The anticipated benefit of the study is that patients will be treated more effectively for their EPI. The burden of this trial for patients is the repeated fecal fat balance test.

Official Title
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Enzyme Substitution in Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency; Self Administration Against a Fixed Dose Regimen

Conditions
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Chronic Pancreatitis, Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Panzytrat 25.000 FIP-E units of Lipase


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: age ≥ 18 years. EPI caused by CP. Treated with enzyme therapy (≤ 6 capsules of 25.000 FIP-E units of lipase per day). Fecal elastase < 0.200 mg/g fecal fat-absorption < 85% without using enzymes. Exclusion Criteria: Subjects who are unwilling or unable to understand and participate in the study and/or sign the informed consent. Any known gastro-intestinal disease or major gastrointestinal or pancreatic surgery that could potentially affect the intestinal absorption or metabolism of fat Gastroparesis of any aetiology Hypersensitivity to pork protein Acute pancreatitis Limited life-expectancy of ≤ 6 months Malignancy of the pancreas Pregnancy/lactation

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 90 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Other: Panzytrat fixed dose vs. self-dosing<br>In Phase I (week 1-4) patients will use the fixed amount of lipase as was prescribed by their treating physician. Phase II (week 5-9) patients will start the self-dosage regimen with pancreatic enzymes (without exceeding the maximum amount of 16 capsules per day). They are properly educated by the researcher and dietician how to adjust the amount of pancreatic enzymes to the fat intake in their diet. | Drug: Panzytrat 25.000 FIP-E units of Lipase<br>* patients will experiment with Panzytrat (containing 25.000 units of lipase) to a maximum of 16 capsules a day according to general guidelines.<br>* Other names: Pancreatine of porcine-origin;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fecal Fat percentage | difference in efficacy measured by the fecal fat content during treatment with pancreatic enzymes in a self-dosage regimen after extensive patient-education in comparison to the standard treatment for patients with EPI due to chronic pancreatitis | week 1, 5 and 9 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| enzyme dose | Change in enzyme dose | On a weekly base during 9 weeks | 
| Improvement of steatorrhea-related complaints | Improvement of complaints (e.g. steatorrhoea, abdominal cramps, abdominal pain). | On a weekly base during 9 weeks | 
| Change in dietary habits | Change in dietary habits by means of a food diary | Week 1, 5 and 9 | 
| Patient satisfaction | Patient satisfaction by means of a SF36 questionnaire | Week 4 and 9 | 
| Quality of life | Quality of life by means of a SF36 questionnaire | week 4 and 9 | 
| Evaluation of the nutritional status | Evaluation of the nutritional status in the blood and calculating the Body Mass Index (BMI) | week 5 and 9 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Self-administration, Chronic pancreatitis, Exocrine insufficiency, Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy