The correlation between postoperative complications of ERCP and quality of life after discharge in patients with choledocholithiasis.

BACKGROUND

The treatment of choledocholithiasis by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a difficult endoscopic procedure involving a complicated surgical process. During and after ERCP, surgery-related complications may occur, and serious complications can threaten the life of the patient. This study aims to evaluate the correlation between the possible complications of ERCP treatment of choledocholithiasis and the quality of life of patients, and to provide a basis for formulating corresponding intervention measures.

METHODS

Using the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) and the MOS item short from health survey (SF-36), we conducted random telephone follow-ups of 194 patients admitted to The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University who underwent ERCP for the treatment of choledocholithiasis from October 2017 to December 2020. The patients' complications symptoms and quality of life were recorded, and a comparative analysis was performed.

RESULTS

During the hospitalization of the included 194 patients, complications occurred in 38 cases (19.6%), including 18 cases (9.3%) of hyperamylase, 11 cases (5.7%) of acute pancreatitis, and 5 cases (2.6%) of cholecystitis. There were 4 cases (2.1%) of gastrointestinal bleeding. The SF-36 scores in the complication group were significantly lower than those in the non-complication group across various dimensions, including bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), social functioning (SE), and mental health (MH). Furthermore, the GIQLI scores in the complication group were lower than those in the non-complication group across various dimensions, including symptoms, subjective symptoms, physical function status, social activity status, as well as mental and psychological status. Multiple regression analysis showed that dimensions such as PF, BP, and subjective symptoms were more likely to be affected by hyperamylaseemia, acute pancreatitis, and cholecystitis, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Complications after ERCP result in a poor quality of life after discharge in choledocholithiasis patients, suggesting that nurses need to take effective measures to prevent and actively treat hyperamylase, acute pancreatitis, and acute pancreatitis during the hospitalization of holedocholithiasis patients after ERCP. Common complications, such as cholecystitis, promote the recovery of patients and reduce the impact of the disease on quality of life.