Elastase is a marker used to evaluate pancreatic function. Elastase levels are used to diagnose pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, and evaluate severity of disease.
Pancreatic insufficiency may be caused by a variety of underlying causes including but not limited to chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic tumor, cholelithiasis, and diabetes mellitus.
Although elastase levels will not determine the underlying cause of pancreatic insufficiency, they may be used for diagnosis and management of the disease.