How are select chronic pancreatitis patients selected for total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation? Are there psychometric predictors?
BACKGROUND
Selected patients with chronic pancreatitis can benefit from total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation. Patient selection is challenging and outcomes assessment is essential.


METHODS
A prospective database of total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation patients was reviewed. Attention was given to psychometric assessments, including Short Form-12 Quality of Life Survey (SF-12), Center for Epidemiologic Studies 10-Item Depression scale, and Current Opioid Misuse Measure in the preoperative period, and SF-12 in the postoperative period.


RESULTS
One hundred and twenty-seven patients (76% women, mean age 40.5 years) underwent total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation. Preoperatively, the mean SF-12 physical quality of life score (physQOL) was 27.24 (SD 9.9) and the mean psychological QOL score (psychQOL) was 38.5 (SD 12.8), with a score of 50 representing the mean of a healthy population. Mean improvements in physQOL relative to baseline at 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years post surgery were 7.1, 5.8, and 7.8, respectively, which represented significant change (all p < 0.001). Mean improvements in psychQOL relative to baseline at 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years post surgery were 3.9, 4.9, and 6.6, which also represented significant improvement (all p < 0.001). The percentages of patients evidencing at least a 3-point improvement in physQOL at 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years post surgery were 65%, 60%, and 61%, respectively. The percentages of patients evidencing at least a 3-point improvement in psychQOL at 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years post surgery were 49%, 58%, and 66%, respectively. Exploratory regression analyses of SF-12, Current Opioid Misuse Measure, and Center for Epidemiologic Studies 10-Item Depression scale data revealed limited baseline predictability of surgical response; however, higher opioid misuse scores at baseline were significantly and positively related to physQOL improvement at 2 years (r[54] = 0.33, p = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation improves QOL for selected patients with chronic pancreatitis. The physQOL improves quickly after surgery, and psychQOL improvements are more gradual. Opioid misuse can predict physQOL improvement.
Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. Electronic address: morganka@musc.edu.
Katherine A
KA
Morgan
Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.
Jeffrey
J
Borckardt
Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.
Wendy
W
Balliet
Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.
Stefanie M
SM
Owczarski
Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.
David B
DB
Adams
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010180:Pancreatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult