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Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Protocol - Intervention

Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy for steatorrhoea in pancreatic cancer

Abstract

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows:

To evaluate the efficacy of PERT for the treatment of steatorrhoea in people with pancreatic cancer by accessing whether it:

  1. reduces the severity and duration of common symptoms, including fatty (greasy or oily appearance and residue), foul‐smelling, pale‐coloured, and heavy stools (bulky and difficult‐to‐flush), which are usually associated with weight loss and nutritional deficiencies as a result of fat malabsorption and the concomitant malabsorption of amino acids and vitamins, and abdominal pain or cramps (Cheifetz 2011; Kasper 2015);

  2. is an acceptable treatment, as assessed by the number of side effects/adverse events, study dropout rates, and participant satisfaction levels;

  3. has an impact on chemotherapy adherence;

  4. has an impact on postoperative outcomes.