Faecal Elastase-1

General Information

Pancreatic elastase is secreted by acinar cells in the pancreas. It is not degraded during transfer through the intestine, therefore the faecal concentrations reflects pancreatic exocrine function.

Faecal elastase is a non invasive assessment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. Its measurement has been shown to correlate well with more invasive 'tube' and 'tubeless' tests of exocrine pancreatic function such as the Secretin Pancreozymin test and the Pancreolauryl test.

Faecal elastase may also have role in the assessment of cystic fibrosis patients.

Administration of bovine or porcine pancreatic supplements do not interfere with the test for faecal elastase, which is a distinct advantage over other pancreatic enzymes such as trypsin, chymotrypsin or amylase.

Very wet stool samples may give falsely low elastase levels and require confirmation on a formed sample to confirm pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.