Faecal Pancreatic Elastase Test: a superior alternative for plt users

However, there is no need for hospital pharmacists, pathology laboratories or clinicians to be alarmed, as a highly suitable alternative for measuring pancreatic exocrine function is available: ScheBo BiotechÆs Pancreatic Elastase-1 Stool Test (also known as the Faecal Elastase Test or FE-1). Indeed, Pfizer recommends this test in a letter it sent to pharmacists notifying them about the withdrawal of PLT. Like PLT, the Faecal Pancreatic Elastase Test is a non-invasive procedure used to screen for exocrine insufficiency in patients who are suspected of having pancreatic disease. However, the faecal elastase test is much simpler for patients. Whereas the PLT requires patients to collect all of their urine over two separate days (for ten hours per day), with strict restrictions on their diet and medications, the FE-1 test doesnÆt need these restrictions, and uses a single, formed, random stool sample. It is therefore much simpler and less stressful. In a recent independent study in Pancreatology1, which specifically compared the ScheBo Pancreatic Elastase-1 Stool Test (FE-1) with the Urinary Pancreolauryl Ratio (uPLR), Elphick and Kapur concluded that: ôàthe newer FE-1 is a simpler test to perform and more accurately predicts the response to pancreatic enzyme supplementation in patients with chronic, unexplained diarrhoea with a clinical insufficiency than the traditional uPLR. This is of significant relevance in the clinical setting.ö (http://www.schebo.co.uk/gastro/en/Pancreatology%20Elphick%202005.pdf ) The high sensitivity and high specificity of the Faecal Pancreatic Elastase Test has made it the non-invasive ætest of choiceÆ for measuring pancreatic exocrine function. It is included in recommendations by both the British Society of Gastroenterology2 (http://www.bsg.org.uk/clinical_prac/guidelines/chronic_diarr.htm ) and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust3 (http://www.cftrust.org.uk/scope/documentlibrary/CFTRust/Standards%20of%20Care.pdf ). Good communication between hospital pharmacists, doctors and pathology laboratories will minimise any initial disruption that may be caused by the withdrawal of PLT. Ivor Smith, Managing Director of ScheBo Biotech UK Ltd, says: ôNo doubt most hospitals that have been using PLT will now switch to our Faecal Pancreatic Elastase Test. IÆm sure they will be impressed by its ease of use. Last year, we reduced the total incubation time by 55% to just 65 minutes. IÆm convinced that we have the most accurate and practical non-invasive test for pancreatic exocrine insufficiency on the market. Because our test uses monoclonal antibodies specific for human pancreatic elastase, any patients already using enzyme replacement therapy can keep taking their capsules during the test. This also makes it ideal for monitoring patients for declining pancreatic function.ö More information about the Faecal Pancreatic Elastase Test can be obtained by contacting ScheBo Biotech UK Limited on: 01256 477259, by email to: [email protected] or by visiting: http://www.schebo.co.uk/gastro/en/index.html . References: 1. Elphick DA, Kapur K (2005). Comparing the Urinary Pancreolauryl Ratio and Faecal Elastase-1 as Indicators of Pancreatic Insufficiency in Clinical Practice. Pancreatology 5:196-200. 2. Thomas, PD et al (2003). Guidelines for the investigation of chronic diarrhoea, 2nd Edition. Gut 52: (Suppl V), v1-v15 (http://www.bsg.org.uk/clinical_prac/guidelines/chronic_diarr.htm) 3. Littlewood, JE et al (2001). Standards for the Clinical Care of Children and Adults with Cystic Fibrosis in the UK. The CF TrustÆs Clinical Standards and Accreditation Group. (http://www.cftrust.org.uk/scope/documentlibrary/CFTRust/Standards%20of%20Care.pdf ).