Recommendations from the United European Gastroenterology evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and therapy of chronic pancreatitis

Abstract

Background In collaboration with United European Gastroenterology, the working group on ‘Harmonizing diagnosis and treatment of chronic pancreatitis across Europe’ (HaPanEU) developed European guidelines for the management of chronic pancreatitis using an evidence-based approach. Methods Recommendations of multidisciplinary review groups based on systematic literature reviews to answer predefined clinical questions are summarised. Recommendations are graded using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. Results Recommendations covered topics related to the clinical management of chronic pancreatitis: aetiology, diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis with imaging, diagnosis of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, surgical therapy, medical therapy, endoscopic therapy, treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts, pancreatic pain, nutrition and malnutrition, diabetes mellitus and the natural course of the disease and quality of life. Conclusions The HaPanEU/United European Gastroenterology guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations concerning key aspects of the medical and surgical management of chronic pancreatitis based on current available evidence. These recommendations should serve as a reference standard for existing management of the disease and as a guide for future clinical research. This article summarises the HaPanEU recommendations and statements.