Prevalence and Associated Factors of Abdominal Pain and Disability at 1-Year Follow-up After an Attack of Acute Pancreatitis

Objective The aim of the study was to report the prevalence and predictors of abdominal pain and disability 1 year after an acute pancreatitis (AP) attack. Methods Patients were prospectively enrolled between December 2012 and April 2016. Enrolled subjects were contacted at a median of 13 months after enrollment. Multivariable regression models were used to determine factors independently associated with abdominal pain at follow-up. Results Response rate was 71% (110/155). Of respondents, median age was 51 years, 58% were female, and 14% had severe AP. At follow-up, 24% of patients reported abdominal pain (65% intermittent, 35% constant), 10% used analgesics regularly, and 6% had regular opioids use. Furthermore, 41% of patients experienced pain-related interference with work or daily activities, and 8% developed disability. On regression analysis, idiopathic etiology (odds ratio [OR], 3.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-13.6) failure (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.1-7.9), and recurrent AP (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.1-10.6) were independently associated with abdominal pain at follow-up. Disability at follow-up was associated with younger age, current smoking, and intensive care unit admission (all P < 0.05). Conclusions Abdominal pain and disability are potential long-term sequelae of AP. Certain pre-existing factors and pancreatitis features are associated with these outcomes at one-year follow-up of AP.