Pancreatic steatorrhea

This code represents the malabsorption of fats due to insufficient pancreatic enzyme production or release. It results in fatty, foul-smelling stools and can lead to nutritional deficiencies. This condition is often a symptom of underlying pancreatic disease.

Use this code when documentation explicitly states "pancreatic steatorrhea" or describes steatorrhea directly attributed to pancreatic insufficiency. This diagnosis is typically supported by clinical findings of fatty stools and laboratory tests indicating impaired fat digestion, often in the context of chronic pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis.

• Differentiate from other forms of steatorrhea not originating from pancreatic dysfunction.
• Always code the underlying pancreatic condition (e.g., chronic pancreatitis) first, as pancreatic steatorrhea is a manifestation.
• Ensure documentation clearly links the steatorrhea to a pancreatic cause to avoid miscoding.