English summary: TREATMENT AND DIAGNOSIS OF CHRONIC PANCREATITIS Chronic pancreatitis is on the rise in the Western world. Alcohol consumption is the strongest etiologic factor for chronic pancreatitis, accounting for about 60-70% of all cases. Alcohol consumption is markedly increasing also in Finland, which is why both general practitioners and specialists will see more patients with chronic pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease leading to pancreatic destruction an causing varying degrees of maldigestion and, in advanced stages, also endocrine dysfunction. Although ethanol exposure clearly is a risk factor for pancreatic injury, the process is likely to be multifactorial. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography is the golden standard imaging procedure for diagnosing chronic pancreatitis changes, whereas pancreatic function tests are needed to diagnose exocrine insufficiency. Fecal elastase-1 is a useful and simple test for this purpose that can be used in open care. Treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency by enzyme supplementation has improved. Cumulative amounts of 25000-40000 IU of lipase from pancreatin microspheres are recommended for the digestion of a regular meal. The dose may be increased up to 75000 IU for full response. Compliance checks and differential diagnosis of other malabsorptive diseases are important if the treatment fails. Endocrine insufficiency usually requires insulin in the late stage of the disease.