steatorrhoea

(stē′ə-tə-rē′ə, stē-ăt′ə-)

n. Chiefly British

ste·a·tor·rhe·a

, stearrhea (stē'ă-tŏr-ē'ă, stē'ă-rēă)

Passage of fat in large amounts in the feces due to failure to digest and absorb it; occurs in pancreatic disease and the malabsorption syndromes; an absence of bile acids will increase steatorrhea.
Synonym(s): steatorrhoea.

[steato- + G. rhoia, a flow]

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

steatorrhoea

Excess fat in the stools, which are usually pale, bulky, oily and hard to flush away. Steatorrhoea occurs in any condition, such as PANCREATITIS or COELIAC DISEASE, in which the breakdown and absorption of fats is diminished.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

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References in periodicals archive

Intestinal reticulosis as complication of idiopathic steatorrhoea. Gut 1962; 3: 232-9.

Gluten sensitive enteropathy with osteomalacia but without steatorrhoea. N Engl J Med 1965; 272: 825-30.

Coeliac disease in old age: 'a catch in the rye'

(44) Steatorrhoea usually occurs before protein deficiency.

In general, small meals and a diet low in fat and high in protein and carbohydrates are recommended, especially in patients with steatorrhoea. The degree of fat restriction depends upon the severity of fat malabsorption.

Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pancreatitis

Determine lean body mass if technology available-- deuterium, DEXA, bioelectrical impedance (BIA)--group level only Record anthropometric measurements--TSF, CAMA Dietary intake Assess dietary intake, especially energy and protein, quantitatively Determine use of vitamin/mineral supplements and complementary medicines Assess dietary restrictions and beliefs, texture of diet and other barriers to food intake, hydration Symptoms/ GI symptoms (nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, side-effects steatorrhoea, early satiety) Appetite and taste changes Presence of pain Mood change Functional Determine functional status and level of fatigue, using status and PG-SGA, Karnofsky Performance Scale or Eastern quality of Co-operative Oncology Group.

Evidence based statements

Rarely diarrhoea, steatorrhoea and intestinal obstruction may occur.

A reduction in cardiovascular risk is the main aim of most lipid-modifying therapy

Orlistat causes malabsorption of dietary fat through inhibiting pancreatic lipase but is not a practicable agent as it causes steatorrhoea in doses required to make a meaningful difference.

Severe hypertriglyceridaemia as a result of familial chylomicronaemia: the Cape Town experience

[17] In addition severe nutritional deficiencies including protein-calorie malnutrition, steatorrhoea and micronutrient deficiencies make this operation less preferred by surgeons and patients alike.[18]

Instant remedy or total salvation? Merits and demerits of bariatric surgery

Cholestyramine reduces cholerrhoeic diarrhoea but may worsen steatorrhoea. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are of value for the control of bacterial overgrowth.

The short-bowel syndrome

In the cryptosporidial infection the commonest symptoms associated with diarrhea was abdominal pain (50%), followed by vomiting (37.5%), weight loss (25%) while steatorrhoea and fever was least common i.e., 12.5% each.

4: DISTRIBUTION OF SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH DIARRHEA Symptoms Immunocompetent Immunosuppressed Subjects n=250 Subjects n=21 Abdominal Pain 150 (60%) 18 (85.7%) Vomiting 136 (54.4%) 15 (71.42%) Anorexia 115 (46%) 19 (90.4%) Steatorrhoea 25 (10%) 08 (38.09%) Fever 13 (5.2%) 12 (57.14%) Flatulence 13 (5.2%) 12 (57.14%) Weight loss 07 (2.8%) 21 (100%) TABLE NO.

Investigations of cryptosporidium in human and animal population in and around Loni village

Trichobezoar, gastric polyposis, protein losing enteropathy and steatorrhoea.Gut.

An interesting case of trichobezoar