A comparison of the efficacy and tolerance of pancrelipase and placebo in the treatment of steatorrhea in cystic fibrosis patients with clinical exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

Am J Gastroenterol. 2000 Aug;95(8):1932-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2000.02244.x.

Abstract

Objective: The safety and efficacy of Minimicrospheres, which are enteric-coated, delayed-release pancrelipase capsules, on fat absorption in pediatric/adolescent and adult cystic fibrosis (CF) patients was assessed. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, common in CF patients, causes steatorrhea due to insufficient release of pancreatic enzymes.

Methods: In the open-label phase, 97 CF patients with pancreatic insufficiency and steatorrhea were stabilized on a high-fat diet and administered pancrelipase. Seventy-four patients with >80% coefficient of fat absorption received placebo or pancrelipase in the double-blind phase. Fat intake and excretion, stool frequency and consistency, and clinical global improvement were recorded.

Results: Average daily fat intake was comparable between treatment groups within each age group (adults vs pediatric/adolescent), but placebo patients had a significant (p < 0.001) mean decrease in coefficient of fat absorption (adult, 36.9 percentage points; pediatric/adolescent, 34.9 percentage points) from open-label to double-blind treatment compared to pancrelipase patients (adult, 2 percentage points; pediatric/adolescent, 3.25 percentage points); this difference was caused by a greater (p < or = 0.001) increase in mean fecal fat excretion (grams per day) in the placebo groups compared to pancrelipase groups (adult: 61.9 vs 2.3; pediatric/adolescent: 45.4 vs 4.1). Change in mean stool frequency from open-label to double-blind phases was significantly different (p < or = 0.002) between treatment groups, with increases in placebo groups and no difference (adult) or decrease (pediatric/adolescent) in pancrelipase groups. Pancrelipase patients' stool consistency remained about the same from open-label to double-blind. Placebo patients' stool consistency decreased (became softer) from open-label pancrelipase to double-blind placebo. Clinical global improvement data showed that > or =83% of pancrelipase patients improved or remained unchanged.

Conclusions: Enteric-coated, delayed-release (Minimicrospheres) pancrelipase capsules are an effective treatment for steatorrhea associated with pancreatic insufficiency in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Celiac Disease / drug therapy*
  • Celiac Disease / etiology*
  • Cystic Fibrosis / complications*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency / etiology*
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Agents / adverse effects*
  • Gastrointestinal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pancrelipase / adverse effects*
  • Pancrelipase / therapeutic use*
  • Placebos / adverse effects
  • Placebos / therapeutic use
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Gastrointestinal Agents
  • Placebos
  • Pancrelipase