Pancreatic polypeptide and exocrine pancreatic function in the elderly.

The relationship between exocrine pancreatic function and plasma pancreatic polypeptide levels was studied in 14 normal elderly subjects and in ten elderly patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency determined by the para-amino-benzoic acid test. There was a decrease in the total pancreatic polypeptide response after a standard mixed meal in the group with pancreatic insufficiency (t = 2.753, p = 0.01). An increase above basal of less than 100% in plasma pancreatic polypeptide levels 30 min after a standard mixed meal is strongly associated with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.005).