Addressing the distressing: Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy mitigates abdominal symptoms and weight loss during chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic enzyme insufficiency (PEI) contributes to symptom burden and malnutrition in advanced pancreatic cancer (aPC). We aimed to evaluate the impact of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) on symptom burden and weight during chemotherapy.

METHODS

Patients with aPC who were referred to a dietitian for suspected PEI at the Cross Cancer Institute (Edmonton, Canada) were enrolled. Baseline (BL) PEI symptoms were evaluated prior to PERT initiation; dose was optimized by 1 month. PEI symptom severity was assessed with the Pancreatic Enzyme Insufficiency Questionnaire (PEI-Q) at BL, reassessed after 1 and 3 months, and compared between BL and first reassessment. Mean weight change from BL to 1 month (percentage per 30 days) was compared with change from 1 to 3 months. Continuous and categorical variables were compared using paired samples t tests and McNemar test, respectively.

RESULTS

Of 29 patients enrolled, 23 initiated PERT and completed ≥1 symptom reassessment. Median reported PERT dose at reassessment was 200,000 USP lipase units/day (IQR 97,200, 300,000). Improvements in mean severity scores for stomach pain (P = 0.001) bloating (P = 0.049) and stomach noises (P = 0.032) were reported at reassessment, with a trend toward improved appetite (P = 0.053). Prevalence of moderate/severe PEI decreased (11/23 vs 4/23, P = 0.020). Weight loss slowed after 1 month (-4.3 ± 4.8%/30 days [BL to 1 month] vs -0.2 ± 3.9%/30 days, P = 0.033).

CONCLUSION

Patients receiving dietitian-directed PERT showed improved abdominal symptoms and attenuated weight loss after dose optimization, addressing a patient priority for those with aPC.