Assessment of Healthcare Resource Utilization in Patients with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in the Pact-CP Registry

OBJECTIVES: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is the most common disease of the pancreas associated with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). To identify the needs and experiences of patients with CP/EPI who are receiving pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), a prospective, patient-driven registry was developed to collect data from patients and their providers. Findings from the registry regarding healthcare resource utilization are reported.

METHODS: Adults with suspected or confirmed EPI, who were receiving PERT, were under the care of a practicing gastroenterologist, and were diagnosed with CP or recurrent acute pancreatitis at enrollment were eligible to enroll in this prospective, longitudinal, noninterventional US study. Assessments were collected at prespecified time points.

RESULTS: As of October 14, 2022, 61 patients were enrolled and had a median age of 63.5 years. Patients reported a range of 0‒16 (median, 6) pills of PERT taken per day at both the first visit and 6-month follow-up visit. At the first visit, 24% of patients reported needing emergency room (ER) visits, with a median of 3 ER visits over the past 3 months. At the 6-month follow-up visit, 33% of patients reported needing ER visits, with a median of 2 ER visits over the past 6 months. Patients reported a median of 4 days of hospitalization over the past 3 months at the first visit and 1 day of hospitalization over the past 6 months at the 6-month follow-up visit. Lastly, patients reported needing a median of 4 sick days if they were employed full-time at the first visit and a median of 0 sick days at the 6-month follow-up visit.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that, in patients who reported adherence to PERT, rates of healthcare resource utilization decreased over time. Future analyses of this ongoing registry will help further clarify areas of unmet needs in EPI.