Quality of life assessment in patients treated with chronic pancreatitis

Introduction. Chronic pancreatitis (CP) causes inflammatory changes in the tissue of the pancreas, resulting in irreversible tissue damage. Pain, endocrine, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency develop, thereby reducing the quality of life of patients. The study aims to explore the role of surgical treatment in improving the quality of life of patients with CP. Methods. Quality of life assessment of 50 patients diagnosed with CP was performed using a certified Euro Quality of life-5 dimension-5 level questionnaire translated into Serbian (EuroQol-5D-5L). Patients completed the questionnaire. Patients were divided into two groups (conservative - CT vs. surgical - ST), and all comparations was made between groups. Results. Patients in stage B chronic pancreatitis were divided into two groups of 25 patients. The first group of patients with CP was treated with conservative, and the second group with surgical approach. Mane age in surgically treated (ST) group was 48.56 ? 11.91, and in conservatively treated (CT) group was 51.08 ? 11.61 (p=0.452). Male/female ratio in ST group was 18/7, and in CT group was 22/3 (p=0.289). Pain in ST group was present in 23 patients, and in CT group was present in 18 patients (p=0.141). Loss of appetite in ST group was present in 7 patients, and in CT group was present in 10 patients (p=0.256). Weight loss in both groups was equal (p=1.000). Based on EuroQol-5D-5L it was found significant differences (p<0.001) between group in Mobility and Pain / Discomfort; in Anxiety / Depression (p=0.003); in Self-care (p=0.004); in Usual activities (p=0.008). Conclusion. CP significantly reduce the quality of life (QoL) of patients treated conservatively or by surgical approach. This study showed that surgical treatment is more beneficial in QoL in patients with CP then conservative approach