Chronic pancreatitis: Negotiating the complexities of diagnosis and management.
BACKGROUND
Chronic pancreatitis is a debilitating condition, where the pathology and management are often overlooked in favour of the more recognisable acute form of the disease.


OBJECTIVE
This article draws on experiences gleaned from a cohort of patients with pancreatitis in Far North Queensland, and evidence from selected literature, to formulate strategies for managing disease presentations likely to be encountered in the primary care setting. A supplementary case report serves to illustrate some of the management issues raised.


CONCLUSIONS
A number of clinically useful key messages pertaining to the investigation, diagnosis and management of chronic pancreatitis are provided.
Richard
R
Turner
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult