Quality of life, performance status, and work capacity after post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis

Abstract

Objectives: This study evaluated the long-term consequences of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP) on health related quality of life (HRQOL), performance status, and work capacity.

Materials and methods: A follow-up study with prospective outcome measurements on patients with previous PEP and matched controls from a Danish cohort of 772 patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). HRQOL was evaluated by the short form 36 health surveys, performance status by the Zubrod score, and work capacity by employment status. Multivariable models were applied to adjust for potential confounders.

Results: Twenty-nine cases and 49 controls were included. Twelve (41%), eight (28%), and nine (31%) patients had mild, moderate, and severe PEP, respectively. Mean follow-up time was 4.8 ± 1.7 years. PEP was associated with long-term reduced mental HRQOL (−13.0 role-emotional score points, 95% CI: −25.4; −0.52). An increased Zubrod score representing reduced performance status was present in 12 of the 29 cases (41.4%) and in nine of the 49 controls (18.4%), p = .002. Reduced work capacity was present in 14 of the 29 cases (48.2%) and in 12 of the 49 controls (24.4%), p = .023.

Conclusions: This study indicates that PEP has a detrimental effect on long-term HRQOL, performance score, and work capacity.

Keywords:

• Acute pancreatitis
• post-ERCP pancreatitis
• quality of life
• performance status
• work capacity

Acknowledgements

OPTUM provided materials and software for assessment of HRQOL. The research staff at the Digestive Disease Center, Bispebjerg Hospital, participated in patient inclusion.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by Axel Muusfeldts Fond and Overlæge Johan Boserup and Lise Boserups Legat.