How can one differentiate between acute and chronic pancreatitis during assessment?

To differentiate between acute and chronic pancreatitis, the duration of the symptoms is the most significant factor. Acute pancreatitis typically presents with sudden onset abdominal pain, often following a specific trigger such as gallstones or alcohol consumption, and the symptoms usually last for a short period of time, often resolving within a few days with appropriate treatment. In contrast, chronic pancreatitis is characterized by long-standing inflammation of the pancreas, which leads to persistent abdominal pain that can be recurrent and last for months or even years.

While factors like fever, pain location, and patient age can provide additional context or clues about the patient's overall condition, they do not definitively distinguish between the two forms of pancreatitis in the same way that the duration of symptoms does. The timing and duration of symptom onset are critical in forming the correct diagnosis and guiding treatment.