Background: Quality of life (QOL) after acute pancreatitis (AP) has been assessed months to years after the episode. Our aim was to define the QOL during hospitalization and at short-term follow-up in AP patients.
Methods: We analyzed responses to the PROMIS-29 questionnaire completed during hospitalization by 137 participants with alcohol-related AP or recurrent AP. A subset (n=63) also completed PROMIS-29 within 5-20 months after discharge (median: 11 wk). Summary physical and mental QOL T-scores were computed using a validated algorithm. T-score change from baseline to follow-up of ≥3 points was considered a clinically meaningful change. Univariate and multivariable linear regressions evaluated factors associated with QOL.
Results: During hospitalization, physical (T-score 30.0±8.0) and mental QOL (38.4±3.6) were profoundly lower than population standards (50±10). On multivariable analyses, the presence of diabetes was associated with lower physical QOL (-3.72 points) and current marijuana use was associated with lower mental QOL (-1.62 points). At follow-up, 84% participants had no change in physical QOL T-score (mean change: -2.26 points), while mental QOL improved in 80% (mean change +7.6 points). Odds of maintaining or improving physical QOL were inversely associated with body mass index (OR: 0.91/unit), and of improving mental QOL increased with non-Hispanic or Latino ethnicity (OR: 10.62) and presence of no other psychiatric history (OR: 7.14).
Conclusion: QOL is profoundly affected during hospitalization for alcohol-related AP, with persistent impairment in physical QOL at short-term follow-up. Efforts to address physical rehabilitation and mental health support during and in the posthospitalization period may help optimize outcomes in alcohol-associated AP.
Keywords: PROMIS; alcohol; pancreatitis; quality of life.
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