Employment of patients with chronic pancreatitis in Japan

Abstract

The employment of patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) in Japan was examined based on a nationwide survey. Sixty-six (8.7%) of 755 patients less than 65 years old with CP were not capable of working. Among patients with CP with pain, diabetes mellitus and maldigestion 9.8%, 13.5% and 21.7%, respectively were not able to work. Patients with CP due to alcoholism (10.3%) had a higher rate of inability to work than those with idiopathic CP (2.5%). The malnutrition rate of patients with CP unable to work was higher than in patients with CP who were capable of working. These results suggest that consideration of alcohol-related problems and nutritional status as well as pain, diabetes mellitus and maldigestion is necessary so that patients with CP patients can stay employed.