Combined single day 14C-triolein breath test and PABA test in the diagnosis of malabsorption

Abstract

The 14C-triolein breath test, a recognised index of fat absorption, and the p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) test, a 'tubeless' test of exocrine pancreatic function, have both been widely used in the diagnosis of malabsorption and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. This study evaluates the potential of a combination of both tests in the investigation of fat absorption and exocrine pancreatic function. Combination of the tests has become technically feasible because of the introduction of high pressure liquid chromatography as the preferred method of analysis for PABA, and use of p-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) as the marker for PABA absorption and metabolism. We studied 25 healthy subjects, 11 patients with exocrine pancreatic disease and 12 patients with gastrointestinal disease. The combined test identified subjects with reduced fat absorption and distinguished subjects with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency from those with an intestinal cause of fat malabsorption. The test could be completed in 7 h and had high patient acceptability. These findings suggest that the combined 14C-triolein breath test and PABA test can be used as a non-invasive, 1-day investigation of fat absorption and exocrine pancreatic function.