Prognosis and Duration of disabling effects

Acute Pancreatitis

People with episodes of mild / moderate acute pancreatitis usually recover fully after some weeks with no long term ill effects. Those who have had more severe episodes requiring some time in hospital, or whose recovery has been complicated by development of pseudo-cysts etc. may take several months to make a full recovery. When cholecystectomy is advised in the convalescence phase recovery takes a few weeks longer.

Some people are prone to relapsing episodes of acute pancreatitis, especially if they continue to drink excessive amounts of alcohol.

Chronic pancreatitis

There is no curative treatment for chronic pancreatitis once the condition is established. When the cause is alcohol ingestion abstinence is necessary to prevent deterioration. In milder cases, use of analgesics may be intermittent and in some cases attacks of pain will diminish and abate. As the condition worsens long-term use of pain relieving drugs is the norm.

Good relief from the symptoms of malabsorption is possible in many people with pancreatic enzyme supplements, and attention to diet to maintain a reasonable body weight. Once malabsorption is established the need for these formulations is life long.

Following diagnosis only half of the people with the condition survive more than seven years. The worse prognosis is seen in those who continue to drink alcohol. Chronic pancreatitis predisposes to the development of cancer of the pancreas, which typically has a very limited prognosis (6 -18 months). Up to one fifth of deaths are due to pancreatic cancer.

All information must be taken into account when considering the duration of disabling effects and the duration of disabling effects must be based on the particular circumstances of the individual claimant.

Amended April 2008