Maldigestion

Author:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

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Last updated on: 29.10.2020

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

Maldigestion (K30) is defined as deficient enzyme and/or bile secretion with consecutive disturbance of the hydrolysis of carbohydrate, protein and fat into low-molecular cleavage products or with disturbance of the emulsification of fats.

EtiopathogenesisThis section has been translated automatically.

The causes of maldigestion are:

  • Disturbed digestion of nutrients
    • Lack of digestive enzymes (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, pancreas resection).
    • Inactivation of digestive enzymes: Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
  • Disturbed fat emulsification
    • Reduced bile acid synthesis (e.g. liver cirrhosis)
    • Disturbed bile acid secretion (cholestasis e.g. occlusive cholestasis or intrahepatic cholestasis)
    • Reduced conjugated bile acid (bacterial overgrowth in small bowel diverticulosis, Bildsack syndrome, motility disorders of the small bowel e.g. in systemic sclerosis)
    • Increased loss of bile acid (syn.: bile acid loss syndrome) in the case of resection of the terminal ileum or in Crohn's disease.

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Last updated on: 29.10.2020