Patient quality of life and pain improve after autologous islet transplantation (AIT) for treatment of chronic pancreatitis: 53 patient series at the University of Arizona

Abstract

Background/objectivesPancreatectomy with autologous islet transplantation has slowly been proving to be an effective way of treating chronic pancreatitis while lessening the effects of the concomitant surgical diabetes of pancreatectomy alone. Assessing patient quality of life and pain after the procedure is particularly important as intractable pain is the main complaint for which patients undergo total pancreatectomy. MethodsWe used the Rand SF-36 and McGill pain questionnaires, and Visual Analogue Scale to assess patients preoperatively for quality of life and pain resulting from life with chronic pancreatitis. After undergoing total pancreatectomy with autologous islet transplantation (TPAIT), patients were followed with surveys administered at 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year to evaluate changes in their quality of life and pain experienced. ResultsSignificant improvement was reported in all components of every questionnaire within a year after surgery. Furthermore, patient reported mean scores on quality of life were found to fall within the range of the general population. ConclusionsFrom our experience with 53 patients at the University of Arizona, after pancreatectomy with autologous islet transplantation patients reported a higher quality of life when compared to preoperative values, as well as reduced levels of pain.