| [ Summary ] |
Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is usually characterized by irreversible and progressive disorders of the pancreas. It is well-known that QOL with CP is often poor. However, clinical features of the disease are varied, so that QOL is affected by the etiology and clinical stage. Etiologically, chronic alcoholism is most important, and QOL in alcoholic CP patients is poor compared with non-alcoholic patients. Drinking habits in addition to increased severity of pancreatic disorders reduse QOL alcoholic CP patients. The main factors causing deterioration in QOL for CP patients are abdominal pain in the early stages, and pancreatic exocrine and endocrine insufficiency in advanced stages. Not only complications directly related to pancreatitis but also extra-pancreatic disorders, particularly liver diseases and malignancies are often seen and there are other factors which reduce QOL for CP patients. In alcoholic CP patients, abstinence is most important and effective to achieve pain relief and to maintain a favorable QOL. However, persuading patients to abstin is difficult, and a psychosomatic approach is sometimes necessary. In the advanced stages, we should take care to treat diabetes, especially because pancreatic diabetes easily progresses hypoglycemia, because of consistent alpha-ceil dysfunction. |