Differential diagnosis of diarrhoea in patients with neuroendocrine tumors

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Introduction: Patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) frequently experience diarrhoea that can impact their quality of life. Pancreatic enzyme insufficiency (PEI), bile acid diarrhoea (BAD) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) are potential causes. There is a limited data on prevalence of these conditions in NETs.

Aim(s): Explore the prevalence of PEI, BAD and SIBO in a heterogeneous population of NET patients and assess the impact on quality of life.

Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study in the South Wales NET service including 257 patients. PEI was defined as low faecal elastase (<200ug/g) or treatment with pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. BAD was defined as an abnormal SeHCAT scan (<10% retention) or treatment with bile acid sequestrants. SIBO was defined as a positive hydrogen breath test (>20ppm) or empirical antibiotics. The EORTC QLQ-GINET21 and modified Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) questionnaires were completed.

Conference:

Presenting Author: Navaratnam J

Authors: Navaratnam J, Reed H, Sivananthan M, Rela A, Khan M,

Keywords: Neuroendocrine, Research, Diarrhoea, Quality of LIfe,