JOURNALIn general, in each group of those who had abnormal faecal chemical fat the faecal radioactivity determination was abnormal in about 75%, while the blood peak radioactivity was abnormal in only about 50%. On the other hand, in nearly each group, of those who had normal faecal chemical fat, nearly 80% had a normal faecal radioactivity, while the blood peak radioactivity was normal in nearly 85%.Of the two 1311 triolein determinations the faecal radioactivity determination was found to be a much better index of the presence of steatorrhoea than the blood peak radioactivity test. When both studies were carried out the index of accuracy was increased.If a patient has normal blood peak and faecal radioactivity values after the 1311 triolein meals, the chances of his being normal are about 85 to 95%, while the chance of his having steatorrhoea (false negative) are about 15 to 25Y%. On the other hand, if both values are abnormal the chances of his being normal are about 10% (false positive), while the chances of his having steatorrhoea are about 75%.Administration of the 13II-labelled triolein does not afford an adequate quantitation of steatorrhoea, as does the faecal chemical balance study.Although the 1311 triolein studies are good, simple exploratory tests in the detection of steatorrhoea, particularly if both faecal and blood peak radioactivity are determined, show by our results that 13'I triolein is not as sensitive an index of accuracy in the detection of steatorrhoea as is the faecal chemical fat determination. However, if facilities for metabolic balance studies are not available, then because of its simplicity the triolein test (using both blood peak and faecal radioactivity determination) may be used as a diagnostic aid in the detection of steatorrhoea, provided its limitations are fully appreciated.It is also recommended that, in a given patient, if both blood peak and faecal radioactivity are abnormal, that patient should have faecal chemical balance studies to establish the diagnosis definitely and for the quantitative estimation of steatorrhoea.We thank Dr. Hyman Menduke, Ph.D., for his aid in the statistical analysis.
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