What type of stools are commonly associated with cystic fibrosis?

In cases of cystic fibrosis, the correct association is with stools that are greasy and foul-smelling. This characteristic is primarily due to malabsorption of fats that occurs because of pancreatic insufficiency, a common complication of cystic fibrosis. The disease leads to thick secretions that can obstruct the pancreatic ducts, preventing digestive enzymes from reaching the intestines. As a result, fats are not properly digested or absorbed, leading to the presence of undigested fat in the stools. This not only gives them a greasy appearance but also contributes to a particularly foul odor due to bacterial fermentation of the unabsorbed materials.

While other stool characteristics may be observed in different gastrointestinal conditions, greasy and foul-smelling stools are hallmark signs directly linked to the digestive issues arising from cystic fibrosis.