When chronic pancreatitis reaches the decompensated stage, significantly reduced exocrine pancreatic function drives clinically meaningful malabsorption — manifesting as steatorrhea and progressive weight loss. This scenario requires active, structured intervention.
In the decompensated stage, decreased pancreatic exocrine function leads to digestive malabsorption and nutritional disorders. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency with steatorrhea and weight loss is the defining presentation requiring targeted management.
The approach centres on pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy combined with structured nutritional support. The complete regimen — including specific agents, nutritional parameters, and supplementation guidance — is available in the full protocol.
Improvement in fat absorption and fecal fat content; reduction of steatorrhea and reversal of weight loss.
DOI: 10.1007/s00535-022-01911-6
In the decompensated stage, treatment is required for digestive malabsorption, nutritional disorders, and diabetes mellitus caused by decreased pancreatic endocrine and exocrine function.
Patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency should receive pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy and adequate nutrition without fat restriction.
Significant improvements in fat absorption, nitrogen absorption, and fecal fat content have been reported in multiple randomized-controlled trials of pancrelipase in patients with pancreatic insufficiency due to CP or following pancreatic surgery.
Furthermore, a multicenter questionnaire-based survey found that pancrelipase improved quality of life, for example, by improving weight loss and steatorrhea.
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