Frequency and risk factors for mental disorders following pancreatitis: a nationwide cohort study

Objective: To investigate the frequency and risk factors for mental disorders following pancreatitis.Methods: Patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) were identified (n=18,074) from a nationwide database in New Zealand (1998-2015). They were followed from their first hospital admissions for AP or CP to incident mental disorders. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using multivariable Cox regression analyses.Results: CP (vs AP) was associated with a significantly higher risk of mental disorders (adjusted HR=2.00 [95% CI=1.53-2.62]). Pre-existing diabetes (adjusted HR=8.99 [95% CI=6.23-12.96] for AP and adjusted HR=3.42 [95% CI=2.37-4.96] for CP) and post-pancreatitis diabetes mellitus (adjusted HR=7.10 [95% CI=4.14-12.19] for AP and adjusted HR=2.97 [95% CI=1.83-4.82] for CP) were risk factors for mental disorders in individuals following pancreatitis. Severe (adjusted HR=2.07 [95% CI=1.39-3.06] vs mild) and recurrent (adjusted HR=1.62 [95% CI=1.07-2.45] vs single episode) attacks were associated with significantly higher risks of mental disorders following AP.Conclusions: Patients following CP, recurrent AP, severe AP, and those with diabetes are at high risk for developing mental disorders.