title: Quality of life in patients after pancreaticoduodenectomy for chronic pancreatitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is the most frequently performed resectional procedure in chronic pancreatitis. Only a few studies have evaluated quality of life (QOL) after PD for chronic pancreatitis. This retrospective study examined long-term quality of life and relief of symptoms in a homogenous consecutive cohort of 67 patients undergoing PD for chronic pancreatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A standard QOL questionnaire was sent to 168 patients after PD who had undergone PD for chronic pancreatitis at the University Hospital Dresden between 1994 and 2008. QOL and long-term sequelae were evaluated by the EORTC quality of life questionnaire supplemented with complementary questions. Results were compared to general population data based on large random samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median follow-up was 69.1 months. Complete response was obtained from 67 (48.5%) patients. Long-term survival of our patients was lower than expected rates based on the Federal Republic of Germany life table analysis (p < 0.001). There was an improved pain control and an increase in weight gain. Overall, QOL scores were slightly inferior to those of the control group. A common problem after PD was onset of diabetes mellitus; however, exocrine function of the pancreas was stable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the largest single-institution experience assessing QOL after PD for chronic pancreatitis. Most patients have QOL scores comparable to those of the control patients and can function independently in daily activities.
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany. Felix.Rueckert@uniklinikum-dresden.de
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rückert
authors.forename: Marius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Distler
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: Doreen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pilarsky
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dobrowolski
authors.forename: Hans-Detlev
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Saeger
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grützmann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016577:Pancreaticoduodenectomy / Q000523:psychology*; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome