The epidemiology and socioeconomic impact of chronic pancreatitis.
Epidemiological studies have been published worldwide in recent decades describing the incidence, mortality, aetiology and trends of chronic pancreatitis. Accumulated evidence suggests that chronic pancreatitis is increasing in incidence and hospital admission rates are rising accordingly. Alcoholic chronic pancreatitis was previously more common in the developed world than elsewhere, but is now increasing worldwide due to growing per capita alcohol consumption in each nation. Supporting alcohol and smoking cessation in individual patients is essential to slow disease progression and improve overall health, as most patients will die of cirrhosis, cardiovascular disease or smoking related cancers rather than chronic pancreatitis. The socioeconomic impact of chronic pancreatitis is difficult to quantify as little data exists, however given the rising incidence the costs to health care and society are likely to increase. This chapter will describe the epidemiology and aetiology of chronic pancreatitis worldwide and discusses the factors that influence its socioeconomic impact.
Southampton General Hospital, UK. jaj1r08@soton.ac.uk <jaj1r08@soton.ac.uk>
James
J
Jupp
David
D
Fine
Colin D
CD
Johnson
D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D010343:Patient Admission; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors