Other medical conditions
are typically the cause of EPI
Share your complete medical history with your doctor
when asking about your symptoms
In adults, chronic pancreatitis (CP) is the main cause of EPI in adults. It is progressive and is often diagnosed later in adulthood (typically between 30-40 years of age). As many as 8 in 10 adults with CP disorder develop EPI. Pancreatitis causes inflammation and swelling of the pancreas. Over time, chronic inflammation can damage the pancreatic cells that make digestive enzymes.3,4,7
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease and the top cause of EPI in infants and children. CF causes mucus to collect in the pancreas, which keeps digestive enzymes from reaching the small intestine. Approximately 66% of CF patients develop EPI shortly after birth and his number jumps to 85% by one year of age.3,4
Who is at risk for developing EPI?4,8-10
It’s important to share your complete medical history with your doctor when asking about your symptoms. Other causes of EPI include celiac disease, diabetes, pancreatic cancer as well as surgery on the digestive tract, including weight-loss surgery.
The estimated percentage of people who have EPI —
by condition or surgical procedure
We can help make the conversation easier
This document provides helpful tips to support you when speaking with your doctor about your chronic stomach and digestive issues — and whether EPI could be the cause.
†This surgery reduces the size of your upper stomach to a small pouch. In one study, EPI was diagnosed in 9.1% of patients one year after Roux-en-Y, mini-omega or loop gastric bypass. In another study, 31% of patients were diagnosed with EPI 52 months after distal and proximal Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The prevalence of EPI after bariatric surgery can vary based on the type and extent of the surgery. The likelihood of EPI after gastric banding is low, however after a sleeve gastrectomy, the neuronal network is impaired, and small percentage of patients with EPI can be expected (4.3%).11-13
