Pilot study examining the impact of a specialist multidisciplinary team clinic for patients with chronic pancreatitis

Quality of life instruments in acute and chronic pancreatitis: a consensus-based standards for the selection of health measurement instruments (COSMIN) approach

BACKGROUND

Pancreatitis is a common surgical emergency, associated with pain and poor quality of life for patients. However, assessment of patient-reported outcome measures in these patients is unclear. This study aimed to identify and evaluate the methodological quality of the health-related quality of life instruments used for patients with acute or chronic pancreatitis.

METHODS

Prospective studies that evaluated health-related quality of life in acute or chronic pancreatitis were identified from systematic review of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science until 28th June 2023 (PROSPERO: CRD42021274743). Instrument characteristics were extracted, and methodological quality assessed using COSMIN (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement Instruments) guidelines and GRADE approach. Narrative synthesis was conducted, with recommendations for use based on COSMIN criteria, evaluated according to World Health Organisation (WHO) quality of life domains.

RESULTS

From 3850 records screened, 41 quality of life instruments were identified across 138 studies included. The majority (69.8%, n = 26) were designed to assess general health-related quality of life, whereas the remainder were abdominal-specific (n = 5) or pancreas-specific (n = 10). Only ten instruments (24.3%) demonstrated sufficient content validity, incorporating items in ≥5 WHO quality of life domains. However, only nine instruments (21.9%) incorporated public and patient involvement. Only the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index and PAN-PROMISE met the criteria to be recommended for use based on COSMIN methodological assessment.

CONCLUSION

There is significant heterogeneity in instruments used to assess quality of life after pancreatitis, with almost all instruments considered insufficient. Robust, validated, and relevant instruments are needed to better understand and determine appropriate interventions to improve quality of life for these patients.

Quality of Life in Patients With Definite Chronic Pancreatitis: A Nationwide Longitudinal Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) has a negative impact on quality of life (QoL). Because CP is a chronic condition, multiple assessments of QoL are required to obtain a thorough understanding of its impact on patients. Such studies are currently lacking. This study aims to gain insight into the course and predictors of QoL in patients with CP using prospective longitudinal data from a large cohort of patients.

METHODS

Post hoc analysis of consecutive patients with definite CP registered in a prospective database between 2011 and 2019 in the Netherlands. Patient and disease characteristics, nutritional status, pain severity, medication usage, pancreatic function, and pancreatic interventions were assessed from medical records and through standard follow-up questionnaires. The physical and mental component summary scales of the Short-Form 36 were used to assess physical and mental QoL at baseline and during follow-up. The course of both physical and mental QoL and their associated factors were longitudinally assessed by using generalized linear mixed models.

RESULTS

Overall, 1,165 patients with definite CP were included for this analysis. During 10-year follow-up, generalized linear mixed model analyses revealed improvements in both physical (41.6-45.2, P < 0.001) and mental (45.9-46.6, P = 0.047) QoL. Younger age, current alcohol consumption, employment, no need for dietetic consultation, no steatorrhea, lower Izbicki pain score, and pain coping mechanism were positively associated with physical QoL ( P < 0.05). For mental QoL, a positive correlation was found between employment, nonalcoholic CP, no need for dietetic consultation, no steatorrhea, lower Izbicki pain score, pain coping mechanism, and surgical treatment. No association was observed between disease duration and longitudinal QoL per patient.

DISCUSSION

This nationwide study provides insight into the dynamics of physical and mental QoL in patients with CP over time. Important and potentially influenceable factors to improve QoL are nutritional status, exocrine pancreatic function, employment status, and patients' coping strategy.

Smoking Is Associated with Worse Clinical Outcomes in Chronic Pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Tobacco smoking is a known risk factor for progression of chronic pancreatitis (CP).

AIM

We compare clinical outcomes of CP patients with current or former smoking with those who have never smoked.

METHODS

We reviewed all patients with followed at our Pancreas Center from 2016 to 2021, comparing the demographics, clinical features, comorbidities, outcomes, and resource utilization between smokers and non-smokers.

RESULTS

Of 439 CP patients, 283 were smokers (125 current, 158 former). Significantly more smokers were men (58.3% vs 40.4%), with alcoholic CP (45.5% vs 12.1%), chronic abdominal pain (77.7% vs 65.4%), anxiety and depression (22.6% vs 14.1% and 38.9% vs 23.1%), and with more local pancreatic complications [splanchnic vein thrombosis (15.7% vs 5.13%), pseudocyst (42.7% vs 23.7%), biliary obstruction (20.5% vs 5.88%)], exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (65.8% vs 46.2%), hospitalizations (2.59 vs 1.75 visits), and emergency department visits (8.96% vs 3.25%). Opioid and neuromodulator use were significantly higher (59.2% vs 30.3% and 58.4% vs 31.2%). Current smokers had worse outcomes than former smokers. Multivariate analysis controlling for multiple factors identified smoking as an independent predictor of chronic abdominal pain (OR 2.49, CI 1.23-5.04, p = 0.011), opioid (OR 2.36, CI 1.35-4.12, p = 0.002), neuromodulators (OR 2.55, CI 1.46-4.46, p = 0.001), and non-opioid-controlled medications (OR 2.28, CI 1.22-4.30, p = 0.01) use, as well as splanchnic vein thromboses (OR 2.65, CI 1.02-6.91, p = 0.045) and biliary obstruction (OR 4.12, CI 1.60-10.61, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

CP patients who smoke or formerly smoked have greater morbidity and worse outcomes than non-smokers.

Tailored surgery in chronic pancreatitis after implementation of a multidisciplinary team assessment; a prospective observational study

INTRODUCTION

Optimal management of chronic pancreatitis involves several specialties. Selection of patients for surgery may benefit from evaluation by a multidisciplinary team (MDT), similar to cancer care. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes in patients selected for surgery after MDT decision.

METHODS

A prospective, observational study of consecutive patients operated for pain due to chronic pancreatitis after implementation of a MDT. The main outcome was Quality of life (QoL) assessed by EORTC-QLQ C30 and pain relief in patients followed >3 months. Complications were registered and predictive factors for pain relief analyzed.

RESULTS

Of 269 patients evaluated by the MDT, 60 (22%) underwent surgery. Postoperative surgical complications occurred in five patients (8.3%) and reoperation within 30 days in two. There was no 90-days mortality. Complete or partial pain relief was achieved in 44 of 50 patients followed >3 months (88%). Preoperative duration of pain predicted lower probability of success. Postoperative improvement in QoL was most prominent for pain, appetite and nausea.

CONCLUSIONS

After MDT evaluation, one in five patients was selected for surgery. Pain relief was obtained in a majority of patients with improved QoL. A tailored approach through a MDT seems warranted and efficient.

Psychological Evaluation and Management of Chronic Pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is a chronic digestive disorder that greatly diminishes the quality of life and is associated with significant psychological distress. A best practice recommendation in treating chronic pancreatitis is offering care in a multidisciplinary model that includes access to a behavioral health provider among other medical professionals. Behavioral interventions for patients with chronic pancreatitis have promise to improve the management of pain, comorbid psychiatric symptoms, and quality of life. If surgical interventions such as a total pancreatectomy islet autotransplant are considered, evaluating and mitigating psychosocial risk factors may aid the selection of appropriate candidates.

Multidisciplinary Care for Adults With Chronic Pancreatitis: Incorporating Psychological Therapies to Optimize Outcomes

ABSTRACT

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is associated with a high disease burden, extensive negative impact on quality of life, increased rates of depression and anxiety, and significant health care utilization and expenditures. Pain is a hallmark feature of CP, present in up to 90% of patients with this condition, and can lead to high rates of disability, hospitalization, and opioid medication use. Current perspectives on the management of CP have evolved to advocate a multidisciplinary approach which offers new pathways for helping patients manage symptoms. Psychologists play an important role in a multidisciplinary team effort by applying scientifically based psychological principles and techniques to improve pain and adaptation to chronic illness. This review will detail the fundamentals of delivering psychological interventions for adults with CP managed in an outpatient setting. Recommendations for integrating psychological care in multidisciplinary management of CP will be offered. Future directions for psychological care in CP multidisciplinary teams are also discussed.

Adherence to European Guidelines for Treatment and Management of Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency in Chronic Pancreatitis Patients

European evidence-based guidelines for the treatment and management of chronic pancreatitis (CP) have been made available following the harmonizing diagnosis and treatment of CP across Europe (HaPanEU) initiative by the United European Gastroenterology (UEG). The aim of this study was to evaluate adherence to the guideline recommendations in the management of patients with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm. UEG guideline recommendations were evaluated and categorized into 55 different quality indicators (QIs). Data from a retrospective cohort of CP patients being treated at Karolinska University Hospital were evaluated with regard to overall adherence as well as adherence to specific QIs. A total number of 118 patients out of 956 patients diagnosed with CP were eligible for inclusion with mean overall adherence of 61.9% to the defined QIs. A significant difference in mean overall adherence was shown between patients diagnosed with CP prior to 1 January 2016 and following 1 January 2016 (59.3% and 67.7% respectively, p = 0.004), with linear regression analysis also demonstrating improvement correlating to date of diagnosis (p = 0.002). In conclusion, diagnosis and treatment of PEI improved after the HaPanEU guidelines became available and is continuously improving; however, there is room for further improvement.