Pilot study examining the impact of a specialist multidisciplinary team clinic for patients with chronic pancreatitis

-To assess the efficacy of a pilot Chronic Pancreatitis (CP) Multidisciplinary (MDT) clinic.

- 60 patients referred to a pilot MDT CP clinic were analysed. Anthropometric data, nutrition status, malabsorption evidence, glycaemic control, opiate use, bone mineral density (BMD) assessment and quality of life (QoL) were examined.

-The average age was 51.27 (±12.75). The commonest aetiology was alcohol (55%). Ninety one point five percent had evidence of ongoing pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, with 88.1% requiring initiation or up-titration of pancreatic enzyme replacement (PERT). Up to half of the patients exhibited micronutrient deficiency. Twenty eight percent were diagnosed with type IIIc diabetes. There was an average daily reduction of 6 mg of morphine usage per patient with a concurrent decline in median pain scores from 83.3 to 63.3, which was non-significant. The median QoL score was 33.3 compared to a score of 75 from the reference population. QoL scores increased from 31.0 to 37.3 at follow up appointments. Seventy two point five percent of patients had undiagnosed low BMD.

The data suggest that CP patients have significant nutritional deficiencies as well as undiagnosed diabetes, poor pain and glycaemic control which negatively impacts QoL. Assessment in a multi-disciplinary clinic ensures appropriate management.