Long-term quality of life after acute pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

The long-term impact of acute pancreatitis (AP) on quality of life (QoL) remains inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate long-term QoL outcomes in patients after AP.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang databases up to April 10, 2025. Studies comparing QoL between AP patients and healthy controls were included. Pooled mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using fixed- or random-effects models, depending on heterogeneity. Publication bias was assessed using Egger's test.

RESULTS

Eleven studies comprising 2,541 participants were included. Follow-up durations after AP ranged from 7 to 115 months. Compared with healthy controls, AP patients showed significantly lower QoL scores in five SF-36 domains: bodily pain (pooled MD: - 10.83, 95% CI - 21.60 to - 0.05, P = 0.05, I2 = 89%), general health (pooled MD: - 9.72, 95% CI - 18.03 to - 1.41, P = 0.02, I2 = 83%), vitality (pooled MD: - 4.69, 95% CI - 7.56 to - 1.83, P = 0.001, I2 = 0%), role emotional (pooled MD: - 20.55, 95% CI - 34.16 to - 6.95, P = 0.003, I2 = 89%), and mental health (pooled MD: - 10.06, 95% CI - 16.68 to - 3.43, P = 0.003, I2 = 68%). No significant differences were observed in the remaining SF-36 domains or the physical and mental component summary scores of the SF-12. Sensitivity analyses indicated that heterogeneity was primarily attributable to a single study. No significant publication bias was detected.

CONCLUSION

Patients with a history of AP experience persistent impairments in specific QoL domains, particularly bodily pain, general health, vitality, role emotional, and mental health. However, physical function, role physical, and social functioning do not show appear relatively preserved. Future research should prioritize the development of validated, disease-specific QoL assessment tools for pancreatic disorders.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42023462539.