Diabetes-related outcomes after pancreatic surgery

The development of pancreatogenic diabetes mellitus (PDM) is a common complication post-pancreatectomy; however, its prevalence has not been described in Australia. We aimed to describe the glycaemic status pre- and post-pancreatectomy, compare patients' clinical characteristics, group according to pre- and post-pancreatectomy diabetes mellitus (DM) status and identify predictors of post-operative PDM.

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients admitted for pancreatic resection at a single institution from 2011 to 2017. Post-operative DM status was determined at the time of discharge or at 30 days post-operation. Longer term DM onset was as documented in medical record subsequent to admission for pancreatic surgery.

A total of 137 cases were analysed; 13.3% and 24.8% of patients developed post-operative PDM within 30 days and at median of 1 year (range 1-4 years) follow-up, respectively. All patients with pre-existing DM continued to have DM post-operatively. Patients with pre-existing DM were older (P = 0.004) and had a family history of DM (P = 0.020); 8.3% of patients who had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy versus 17.1% of patients who had undergone distal pancreatectomy developed PDM (P = 0.318). A lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (P = 0.033) was significantly associated with post-operative PDM development. No independent predictors for post-operative PDM were identified.

The new development of DM within 30 days post-pancreatectomy occurs in approximately one in seven persons. No patients with pre-existing DM demonstrated a remission of DM post-pancreatectomy. These findings suggest that all patients should be screened for DM pre-operatively and followed up post-operatively, particularly those with pre-existing impaired renal function.