Agreement of the Serum Spec fPL™ and 1,2‐O‐Dilauryl‐Rac‐Glycero‐3‐Glutaric Acid‐(6′‐Methylresorufin) Ester Lipase Assay for the Determination of Serum Lipase in Cats with Suspicion of Pancreatitis

Abstract

Background: Serum lipase activities measured by catalytic assays are claimed to be of limited utility for diagnosing pancreatitis in cats. The Spec fPL assay currently is believed the most sensitive test; however, studies comparing different lipase assays are lacking. 1,2-o-dilauryl-rac-glycero-3-glutaric acid-(6′-methylresorufin) ester (DGGR) assay for the determination of lipase activity has been evaluated in dogs, but no information is available in cats.Objectives: To investigate the agreement of DGGR-lipase activity and Spec fPL concentration in cats with clinical signs consistent with pancreatitis.Animals: Two hundred fifty-one client-owned cats.Methods: DGGR-lipase activity and Spec fPL concentration measured from the same blood sample in cats undergoing investigation for pancreatitis. The agreement between DGGR-lipase and Spec fPL at different cutoffs was assessed using Cohen's kappa coefficient (j). Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for 31 cases where pancreatic histopathology was available.Results: DGGR-lipase (cutoff, 26 U/L) and Spec fPL (cutoff, >5.3 lg/L) had a j of 0.68 (standard error [SE] 0.046). DGGR-lipase (cutoff, 26 U/L) and Spec fPL (cutoff, >3.5 lg/L) had a j of 0.60 (SE, 0.05). The maximum j at a Spec fPL cutoff >5.3 lg/L was found when the DGGR-lipase cutoff was set >34 U/L and calculated as 0.755 (SE, 0.042). Sensitivity and specificity were 48% and 63% for DGGR-lipase (cut-off, 26 U/L) and 57% and 63% for Spec fPL (>5.3 lg/L), respectively.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Both lipase assays agreed substantially. DGGR assay seems a useful and cost-efficient method compared to the Spec fPL test.

Comparison of Serum Spec fPL™and 1,2‐o‐Dilauryl‐Rac‐Glycero‐3‐Glutaric Acid‐(6′‐Methylresorufin) Ester Assay in 60 Cats Using Standardized Assessment of Pancreatic Histology

“…However, the data are only available as an abstract and thus we do not know whether the cats had acute or chronic pancreatitis or, perhaps more importantly when considering the often unspecific clinical picture of feline pancreatitis, how much importance was placed on the results of ultrasonography, which has since been shown to have poor agreement with Spec fPL results . On the other hand, there is only one reference interval available for the DGGR assay (8–26 U/L) . In a study of 251 cats with suspicion of pancreatitis, the best agreement between the Spec fPL and DGGR assay was seen with cutoff values of ≥5.4 μg/L for Spec fPL and >34 U/L for the DGGR assay .…”

“…Spec fPL concentration was measured by IDEXX Laboratories . The reference interval for the DGGR assay (8–26 U/L) was previously established using 80 clinically healthy, male and female cats of various breeds …”

Effect of the Glucagon‐like Peptide‐1 Analogue Exenatide Extended Release in Cats with Newly Diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus

“…A cutoff concentration of >5.3 μg/L was used for Spec fPL concentration . For 1,2‐o‐dilauryl‐rac‐glycero‐3‐glutaric acid‐(6′‐methylresorufin) ester (DGGR)‐lipase activity, the cutoff was set at >26 U/L based on the interval previously established in healthy cats (8–26 U/L) . For insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1), a cutoff concentration of >1000 ng/mL was used in accordance with laboratory guidelines .…”

Feline Diabetes Mellitus

“…It was shown in a large number of cats that a particular lipase assay (DGGR assay) agrees substantially with the Spec fPL. The DGGR assay can be performed by routine autoanalysis and therefore be incorporated into a serum biochemical panel rendering lipase measurement more readily available and less expensive (Oppliger et al, 2013b).…”