trypsinogen and Pain

Hereditary pancreatitis (HP) is a form of recurrent acute pancreatitis (AP) mediated by mutations in cationic trypsinogen (PRSS1). Mutations cluster in the calcium-associated regulator regions of PRSS1. In rats, calcium-channel blockers (CCB) prevent hyperstimulation-associated AP. Because of the potential importance of hyperstimulation in triggering episodes of AP in HP, we designed a pilot study to evaluate the safety and potential benefit of CCB use in HP.. Subjects 6 years or older had a PRSS1 mutation, recurrent AP, and pain. Total study duration was 16 weeks. Amlodipine was given during weeks 0 to 11. Dose (2.5, 5, or 10 mg) was based on weight (range, 0.08-0.17 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)). Subjects filled a daily diary including pain (0-10 scale) and blood pressure reading. Clinical assessments occurred at weeks -4, 0, 1, 2, 6, 10, 11, and 12. Subjects filled a Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Survey version 2 (SF-10 for children <14 years old) at weeks -4, 0, 6, and 10. Data were compared for weeks -4 to 0 and 6 to 10.. Nine subjects signed informed consent (4 males; 12-52 years old). Four were excluded during the screening phase. Drug was discontinued in one due to development of unilateral lower-extremity numbness. Four subjects (12-31 years old) completed the study. Mean blood pressure, laboratory tests, physical findings, and daily pain scores did not clinically significantly differ before and during drug therapy, but all reported reduced symptoms. Three reduced analgesic use. Three had improved scores on the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Survey version 2.. Amlodipine is generally safe in subjects with HP and does not increase pain or episodes of AP. Further research into the mechanism of CCB on pancreatitis would be important to provide a pathophysiologic basis to support further trials in HP.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Amlodipine; Analgesics; Blood Pressure; Calcium Channel Blockers; Child; Feasibility Studies; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mutation; Pain; Pain Measurement; Pancreatitis; Patient Dropouts; Pilot Projects; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Recurrence; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index; Surveys and Questionnaires; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Trypsin; Trypsinogen

The aim of the study was to investigate the role and importance of the urine trypsinogen-2 dipstick test in the differential diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in the Emergency Department and to compare results with those of conventional tests.. The study was performed prospectively in the patients admitting to the Emergency Department due to upper abdominal pain. Thirty-two of the 87 patients included in the study had acute pancreatitis diagnosis. Serum amylase, lipase, C-reactive protein (CRP) and urine trypsinogen-2 using Actim pancreatitis dipstick were studied in all patients. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 11.5 package program.. Urine trypsinogen-2 was found positive in 21 (65.6%) of 32 patients. The sensitivity of the test for pancreatitis was identified as 64%, specificity as 85%, positive predictive value as 72%, and negative predictive value as 81%. These values were statistically significant compared to the control group (p<0.01).. Although it has lower sensitivity and specificity compared to amylase and lipase, we suggest that urine trypsinogen-2 test may be an important diagnostic tool in excluding the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, since it provides results within 5 minutes in the Emergency Department, is cheaper, has a higher negative predictive value, and is easy to use.

Topics: Acute Disease; Amylases; C-Reactive Protein; Diagnosis, Differential; Emergency Service, Hospital; Humans; Lipase; Pain; Pancreatitis; Predictive Value of Tests; Prospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Trypsin; Trypsinogen