Is There Any Contribution of Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction to the Malnutrition in Chronic Kidney Disease and End Stage Renal Disease?

Aim: Pancreatic exocrine dysfunction has many causes and often results in malnutrition. The relationship between chronic renal disease related malnutrition and pancreatic exocrine function has not been understood clearly yet. There is lack of data in the literature regarding pancreas exocrine dysfunction in kidney diseases. This study aimed to show whether existence of this relationship. Material and Method: 40 End stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, 40 chronic renal disease (CKD) patients and 42 healthy volunteers without any diagnosed systemic diseases were included. ‘Mini Nutritional Assessment’ (MNA) form has been filled up to determine the nutritional status of the participants. Fecal elastase 1 (FE1) levels measured in order to evaluate the exocrine function of pancreas. Results: FE1 values of control group were significantly higher from CKD and ESRD patients both. When considering the sensitivity of FE1 to show pancreas exocrine function, these results worsen pancreas exocrine function in patients with kidney disease. Conclusion: Malnutrition in kidney diseases has various reasons, and pancreatic exocrine dysfunction thought to be one of them. FE1 levels may be used in order to evaluate the exocrine functions of the pancreas