Pancreatic function following post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis: A controlled cohort study with long-term follow-up.

Background: Acute pancreatitis is one of the most common causes of gastrointestinal-related hospitalization and the incidence is increasing. Endo- and exocrine pancreatic function can be compromised after acute pancreatitis.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the long-term consequences of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP) on pancreatic function.

Methods: A follow-up study was carried out with prospective assessment of endo- and exocrine pancreatic function among cases with previous PEP and matched controls from a Danish cohort consisting of 772 patients undergoing first-time ERCP. Pancreatic function was evaluated by faecal-elastase-1 test, blood levels of haemoglobin A1c, C-peptide, vitamin B12, vitamin D and indirectly by changes in body weight.

Results: Twenty-nine cases and 49 controls participated in the study. Mean follow-up time (standard deviation) was 58 (21) months. Twelve (41%), eight (28%) and nine (31%) patients had mild, moderate and severe PEP, respectively. There was no difference between cases and controls with regard to pancreatic function parameters and PEP severity was not associated with pancreatic function. Factors associated with pancreatic function impairment included body mass index, alcohol consumption, age and smoking.

Conclusion: This study suggests that long-term pancreatic function following PEP is similar to the pancreatic function of other patients with comparable gallstone-related morbidity.