Alcohol induced pancreatitis: Social and surgical aspects

Abstract

Abstract During the period 1977–1985, 38 patients with alcohol related pancreatitis (37 men, 1 woman) were referred to a specific pancreatic follow-up clinic; their mean age was 42·4 years (range 20–69 years). At initial presentation 14 patients were unemployed (37 per cent) and 11 worked as unskilled labourers (29 per cent). Twenty-seven patients (71 per cent) required more than one hospital admission. Surgery was indicated in 14 patients (37 per cent): 4 diagnostic laparotomy, 3 cholecystectomy, 3 drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst and 1 pancreatic abscess, 3 biliary bypass and 4 pancreatic resection. Four patients required more than one operative procedure. Five deaths occurred during the study period: one following biliary bypass, one following total pancreatectomy and three not directly related to pancreatitis. Follow-up attendance rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 76, 47 and 34 per cent respectively. Alcohol induced pancreatitis in Teesside, UK, is a disease of young adult males of lower socio-economic status with a recurring pattern leading to repeated hospital admissions and an unexpectedly high incidence of surgery. The study demonstrates the problem of ascertaining data related to long term follow-up in a condition where, despite intensive efforts, patient compliance is poor.