To explore the short-term efficacy of pancreatic enzyme enteric-coated capsules on digestive tract symptoms, pancreatic function indicators, and quality of life in patients with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) after gastric cancer surgery.

A total of 45 patients diagnosed with PEI after gastric cancer surgery were prospectively included. They were treated with pancreatic enzyme enteric-coated capsules orally for 4 weeks. The efficacy was evaluated, and the observation indicators included fecal elastase-1 (FE-1) concentration before and after treatment, pancreatic exocrine function-specific questionnaire (PEI-Q) score, daily defecation frequency, body weight, body mass index (BMI), and total score and dimensions of gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI). Data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0 statistical software. Count data were expressed as [cases (%)] and analyzed by χ² test; continuous variables with normal distribution were expressed as(

After treatment, the main endpoint FE-1 concentration significantly increased from baseline (412.7±108.7) µg/g to (792.7±149.2) µg/g (P<0.001), the secondary endpoint PEI-Q score significantly decreased compared with baseline (P<0.001), daily defecation frequency significantly decreased (P<0.001), and the total score and four sub-dimensions of GIQLI (gastrointestinal symptoms, psychological state, social function, and health status) significantly improved (all P<0.05); while there was no statistically significant difference in body weight and BMI before and after treatment (P>0.05).

Pancreatic enzyme enteric-coated capsules can effectively alleviate the digestive tract symptoms of patients with PEI after gastric cancer surgery, improve pancreatic exocrine function and overall quality of life, but their intervention effects on short-term body weight and BMI are limited.