Chronic pancreatitis is one of the diseases whose incidence is slightly increasing long-term. Apparently this is related to our current dietary habits and to the way of life in industrialized societies in general. In recent years, chronic pancreatitis has experienced greater diagnostic accuracy and reliability, although we are still unable to diagnose the early stages of the disease. In diagnostics, sophisticated imaging methods are in the forefront, and less frequent is the use of tests that assess the exocrine function of the gland. Non-invasive therapeutic approaches include dietary measures, including an absolute ban on alcohol. Drug therapy consists of the application of drugs containing pancreatic digestive enzymes and the treatment of pancreatic pain. The administration of capsules containing microparticles containing pancreatic enzymes, protected against inactivation of enzymes in an acidic gastric environment, is effective. In the treatment of pancreatic pain, we use a range of analgesic drugs, but abstinence from alcohol itself leads to a decrease in the frequency of pancreatic pain. Surgical therapy is very effective. Among other treatment methods include also endoscopic therapy. From the point of view of diagnosis and therapy, chronic pancreatitis is one of the conditions requiring a multidisciplinary approach. In this review article, we discuss the possibilities of diagnosis and treatment of chronic pancreatitis according to the current recommendations of UEG (United European Gastroenterology).
Keywords: Pancreas; TIGAR‑ O classification; United European Gastroenterology; chronic pancreatitis; exocrine pancreatic insufficiency; pancreatic pain.