The following is a summary of “Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Impact on Quality of Life at 1-Year Follow-Up of Initial Attack of Acute Pancreatitis,” published in the February 2023 issue of Gastroenterology and Nutrition by Nasr, et al.

For a study, researchers sought to characterize the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms after acute pancreatitis (AP) occurs for the first time and to assess how the episode affected patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQOL) from the viewpoints of patients and parents.

The study conducted surveys on gastrointestinal symptoms in 74 pediatric patients and provided data collected at 1 year from the onset of AP. Thirty of these patients completed both the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Concern Scales and the PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales. On the basis of legacy-matched healthy controls, these data were compared.

When compared to kids who developed acute recurring pancreatitis (ARP) within a year, kids with a solitary case of AP had a similar risk of GI symptoms. When compared to healthy controls, children’s self-report and parent proxy-report PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales scores for patients who suffered AP were significantly lower. In the Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Worry Scores across various areas, AP patients also showed noticeably higher symptoms than healthy controls.

Many kids who had one AP incident, even those who didn’t have recurrent attacks, still, endured gastrointestinal problems. When compared to individuals who acquired ARP, the severity of symptoms was not noticeably different. An AP assault can have a major impact on children’s HRQOL and family experiences, as shown in the study that assessed patient-reported outcomes in kids. To better understand the disease’s course and the long-term effects of AP in pediatric patients, more information was required.

Reference: journals.lww.com/jpgn/Abstract/2023/02000/Prevalence_of_Gastrointestinal_Symptoms_and_Impact.17.aspx