Bowel Tracking
Bowel patterns are a direct indicator of enzyme effectiveness and fat malabsorption. Consistent logging helps detect EPI progression, treatment response, and steatorrhea before it becomes a clinical crisis.
The Bristol Stool Scale
PancreaTrack uses the internationally validated Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) to classify stool consistency. Each type reflects how long stool spent in the colon.
| Type | Description | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | Separate hard lumps (like nuts) | Very slow transit / constipation |
| Type 2 | Sausage-shaped but lumpy | Slow transit |
| Type 3 | Sausage with cracks on surface | Normal |
| Type 4 | Smooth, soft sausage | Normal (ideal) |
| Type 5 | Soft blobs with clear edges | Lacking fiber; mild concern |
| Type 6 | Fluffy, mushy, ragged edges | Loose — may indicate malabsorption |
| Type 7 | Entirely liquid | Diarrhea — significant malabsorption risk |
What Is Steatorrhea?
Steatorrhea refers to oily, pale, foul-smelling stools that float or are difficult to flush. It is caused by undigested fat passing through the intestine — the hallmark sign of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and inadequate PERT dosing.
If you log 3 or more loose/Type 6-7 stools, or 2 or more oily stools, within a 30-day window, your physician's dashboard will display a clinical alert. This does not replace a fecal elastase test — it flags a pattern worth discussing.
Logging a Bowel Entry
Select Bowel Log from the sidebar.
Choose Types 1–7 that best matches your observation. Visual diagrams are available in the app.
If the stool appeared oily, greasy, or floated unusually — check the Oily/Fatty checkbox. This is the key steatorrhea indicator.
Color changes, urgency, or associated symptoms can be noted in the text field.
Why This Data Matters to Your Physician
Your gastroenterologist uses bowel trend data to assess whether your current PERT dose is adequate, whether your fat restriction is working, and whether additional testing (fecal fat, elastase, or imaging) is warranted. A written log covering 30 days is more reliable than patient recall alone.
Post-TPIAT patients often experience changes in bowel pattern during the first 1–2 years as islet cell function stabilizes. Consistent logging during this period is especially valuable for your transplant team.