[Diagnosis and therapy of chronic pancreatitis].

Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by recurrent or persisting pain. As the exocrine pancreatic insufficiency occurs early in the progression of the disease, the endocrine function may persist intact. Imaging procedures and pancreatic function tests are used to make a diagnosis. Therapy consists of pain reduction, which might require endoscopic or surgical intervention. Treatment of exocrine and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency is based on diet and substitution of pancreatic enzymes, minerals and vitamins, as well as insulin.