Otero-Colón J, Olivero Y, Virk P, Thomas M, Webking S, Mejia J. The Importance of Clinical Reasoning in Pancreatic Insufficiency: A Case Report.
Cureus 2023;
15:e38760. [PMID:
37303318 PMCID:
PMC10249458 DOI:
10.7759/cureus.38760]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence-based medicine has demonstrated an extensive list of etiologies for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). EPI is defined as inadequate pancreatic enzyme efficacy in digestion due to insufficient enzyme production, activation, or early enzyme degradation. Among the etiologies, acute pancreatitis secondary to chronic and excessive consumption of alcohol has been found to be one of the most common causes. In 2022, a 43-year-old male patient with a past medical history of polysubstance abuse, acute on chronic pancreatitis, alcohol dependence, pulmonary embolism, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus type 2 presented to the Emergency Department with three days of epigastric abdominal pain, nausea and non-bloody, non-bilious vomiting. Proper imaging confirmed the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. The key to treatment and surveillance relies on proper identification of risk factors, pertinent imaging for diagnostic evaluation and appropriate treatment with electrolyte repletion. The patient developed persistent electrolyte deficiencies despite appropriate repletion, indicating high suspicion of pancreatic insufficiency. The treatment most importantly relies on a combination of repletion of electrolytes as well as pancreatic enzymes with a clear patient understanding of their chronic condition, the importance of reducing modifiable risk factors and compliance with medical therapy.
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