Combining unprotected pancreatic enzymes with pH-sensitive enteric-coated microspheres does not improve nutrient digestion in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Abstract

To assess the efficacy of combining unprotected powder enzymes and oral enteric-coated microsphere (ECM) and to ECM alone in treating nutrient maldigestion in patients with cystic fibrosis. Patients were randomly assigned into 2 consecutive, 2-week phases; ECM alone, and ECM plus unprotected powder enzymes. Fecal fat, energy, and nitrogen output were compared with intake at the end of each phase. Two-tailed, paired t tests were performed to compare outcomes. The mean age of the 14 patients (3 girls) was 5.7 +/- 3.2 years (range, 1.9 to 13.4 years). There was no significant difference in percent malabsorption of fat (15.6% vs 18.2%), energy (13.3% vs 13.4%), or nitrogen (11.8% vs 11.3%) between phases. The addition of powder enzymes to ECM did not improve nutrient maldigestion compared with ECM alone.