What is a common gastrointestinal symptom of cystic fibrosis?

In cystic fibrosis, a common gastrointestinal symptom is steatorrhea, which refers to the presence of excess fat in the stool. This occurs due to the pancreas not being able to produce enough digestive enzymes because of thick, sticky secretions that block the pancreatic ducts. As a result, fats are not well digested or absorbed, leading to oily, foul-smelling stools that float. This symptom is significant because it can lead to malnutrition and deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), which are essential for various bodily functions.

While constipation, diarrhea, and peptic ulcers can occur in individuals with cystic fibrosis, they are not as directly associated with the underlying pathophysiology of the disease as steatorrhea is. Constipation can occur due to the thickened secretions affecting motility, and diarrhea can result from malabsorption or infections, but they do not specifically highlight the digestive enzyme deficiency like steatorrhea does. Peptic ulcers are generally unrelated to cystic fibrosis and are more commonly linked to other causes such as Helicobacter pylori infection or the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Thus, steatorrhea is the most characteristic gastrointestinal symptom of