Publication

Abstract : Background: Chronic pancreatitis is a lifelong illness with remissions and relapses. Attacks of pain, steatorrhea and resultant malnutrition,diabetes mellitus with its complications and the looming risk of pancreatic cancer make life miserable for the victims. Frequent medications,hospitalizations and surgeries for pain or local complications may be required. Added to this is the psychological and financialimpact on the family. The prospect of decreased longevity and low quality of life drive these patients to despair.Chronic pancreatitis is a classic example of a chronic incurable illness in which a positive intervention by a multidisciplinary team ofcommitted health providers can be very effective. The working of such a team in a tertiary referral centre in India is described.Material and Methods: One hundred consecutive adult patients who have been attending the pancreas clinic of our hospital for 2-6 yearsvoluntarily answered a structured questionnaire. Self- reported symptomatic improvement, reduction in use of analgesics, perception ofdisease, diabetic control, overall well-being, reduction in use of alcohol and smoking and improvement in health -related quality of lifewere analyzed.Results: There was significant improvement in symptoms, subjective perceptions, overall health, diabetic state, quality of life and reductionin use of analgesics and use of alcohol and smoking.