What is the major laboratory finding in a person with chronic pancreatitis?

In chronic pancreatitis, the major laboratory finding often associated with the condition is the presence of high-fat content in the stool, known as steatorrhea. This occurs because the pancreas loses its ability to secrete adequate amounts of digestive enzymes, especially lipase, which is critical for the digestion and absorption of fats. When fat digestion is impaired, undigested fat is excreted in the stool, leading to a characteristic oily or bulky stool appearance.

In contrast, while increased serum amylase may be seen in acute pancreatitis, it is not a reliable indicator for chronic pancreatitis, as enzyme levels can be normal or only mildly elevated in chronic cases. Low blood glucose is not a significant finding in chronic pancreatitis; instead, there may be issues with blood sugar regulation over time due to pancreatic damage affecting insulin production. Elevated hepatic enzymes are more associated with liver dysfunction and not directly indicative of chronic pancreatitis itself.

Thus, the presence of high-fat content in stool serves as a clear marker of malabsorption and impaired digestive function that commonly occurs in patients with chronic pancreatitis, making it the most relevant laboratory finding in this context.