Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy for Acute Pancreatitis-Associated Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency: the PERT-AP Trial
This study aims to evaluate if a 6-month course of pancrelipase (CREON) treatment improves symptoms of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) after an attack of acute pancreatitis. Diagnosis of EPI is measured by a fecal elastase value of \<200, and patients must have a qualifying symptom burden based on the EPI symptom tracker survey. Blood and stool will be analyzed as part of this study, and other surveys of health status will be used to track improvement of symptoms.
⁃ Adult patients of age 18 or older, able to provide informed consent and follow all study procedures.
⁃ Stable outpatient up to 12 months following an acute pancreatitis episode and has EPI based on an FE-1 \< 200 µg/g stool obtained within 3 months prior to baseline assessment (Visit 2).
⁃ Score of equal or greater 0.6 on the EPI symptom tracker at baseline Visit 2.
⁃ Must be off PERT (including prescription and non-prescription enzymes) for 7 days prior to baseline Visit 2.
⁃ Must have fully completed the terminal intervention for necrotizing pancreatitis (surgical or endoscopic necrosectomy or percutaneous drainage).
⁃ Have a Body Weight between 40 and 120 kg (amounts to 600-1800 LU/meal pancrelipase starting dose of pancrelipase).
⁃ Women of childbearing potential must have a negative urine pregnancy test at Study Day 1 and practicing at least one protocol specified method of birth control (Section 5.2.4), starting at Study Day 1 through 30 days after last dose of pancrelipase.
⁃ Females of non-childbearing potential (either postmenopausal or permanently surgically sterile as defined:
∙ Age \> 55 years with no menses for 12 or more months without an alternative medical cause.
‣ Age ≤ 55 years with no menses for 12 or more months without an alternative medical cause AND an FSH level \> 40 IU/L.
• OR
• Permanently surgical sterile (bilateral oophorectomy, bilateral salpingectomy or hysterectomy).
• do not require pregnancy testing.