Background: A satisfactory classification, or staging system, for chronic pancreatitis is not available. Currently available systems use histologic proof or imaging data for assessment. Although the former is not available in all cases, the latter may not correlate well with the clinical presentation. Therapy for chronic pancreatitis depends on the clinical aspects of the disease, not purely on the duct morphology or histology.
Goals: A staging/grading system is proposed that is applicable to all types of diagnosed chronic pancreatitis and that allows comparison of similar groups. It also provides therapeutic guidelines. The system divides patients into grades A, B, and C, depending on the presence or absence of abdominal pain or complications. Further subdivision is based on the presence or absence of deficiency in pancreatic function. This staging system permits accurate description of the disease with relevance to therapeutic approach and prognosis.