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. 2018 Feb;32(2):10.1111/ctr.13177.
doi: 10.1111/ctr.13177. Epub 2018 Jan 1.

Successful pancreas transplantation alone is associated with excellent self-identified health score and glucose control: A retrospective study from a high-volume center in the United States

Joseph R Scalea  1 , Lauren Pettinato  1 , Blythe Fiscella  1 , Amanda Bartosic  1 , Allison Piedmonte  1 , Jastine Paran  1 , Niket Todi  1 , Eric J Siskind  1 , Stephen T Bartlett  1
Affiliations

Successful pancreas transplantation alone is associated with excellent self-identified health score and glucose control: A retrospective study from a high-volume center in the United States

Joseph R Scalea et al. Clin Transplant. 2018 Feb.

Abstract

Background: The benefits of pancreas transplantation are often difficult to measure. Here, we sought to determine the difference in quality of life for diabetic patients with and without a functional pancreas transplant alone (PTA).

Methods: Pancreas transplant alone cases from 1993 to 2015 were considered. An IRB-approved survey inclusive of 15 questions spanning four domains was employed. Chi-square, Fisher's exact, and the T test were used where appropriate.

Results: A total of 137 PTAs were performed during the study period. Of those reached (n = 32), 94% responded to the survey. Self-reported health scores were better (2.1 vs 3.0) for those with functioning pancreata (n = 18) vs those with a non-functional pancreas (n = 14), respectively (P = .036). Those with a functional pancreas had a HgbA1c of 5.3, vs 7.7 for a non-functional pancreas (P = .016). Significant hypoglycemia was reported in two of 18 with a functional transplant vs nine of 14 patients with a failed transplant (P = .003). Daily frustration with blood sugar affecting quality of life was significantly higher for patients with non-functional pancreas grafts (P < .001).

Conclusions: Pancreas transplantation alone is associated with better glucose control than insulin. In addition, recipients of functional PTAs have improved quality of life and better overall health scores than those with failed grafts.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Diagram of survey respondents
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Graft survival of survey respondents
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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