AIM

To evaluate the effect on recurrent admission for alcohol-induced pancreatitis (that can be up to 48%) of a brief social work intervention for alcohol dependence in a single center in Ireland.

METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients admitted with acute alcohol-induced pancreatitis to a tertiary hospital in Ireland from January 2009 to December 2012.

RESULTS

The relapse rate in the cohort of 160 patients with alcohol-induced pancreatitis was 28.1%. There was no difference in the relapse rate of those patients who received a social work intervention compared with those who did not (ANOVA, P = 0.229). The employment status was a significant risk factor for relapse (ANOVA, P = 0.027), but did not differ between those who did, and did not, receive the intervention.

CONCLUSION

Although the cohort size did not allow great statistical power, it appears that our hospital's current social work intervention for alcohol-induced pancreatitis is ineffective in preventing relapse. Long-term prospective studies are required to formulate and better implement more efficacious interventions for such patients.