A woman with chronic pancreatitis presents for routine care. Which test is indicated for her management?

In the management of a patient with chronic pancreatitis, monitoring for the development of diabetes is crucial due to the potential impact of pancreatic damage on insulin production. Over time, chronic damage to the pancreatic tissue can lead to impaired insulin secretion, causing glucose intolerance or diabetes mellitus.

Fasting glucose levels are important to assess metabolic status and screen for diabetes, which is a common complication associated with chronic pancreatitis. Regular monitoring can help in early detection and management of diabetes, allowing for timely interventions that can improve the patient's quality of life and overall health outcomes.

While other tests might be useful in certain scenarios—such as abdominal ultrasound for assessing pancreatic ductal anatomy or ruling out complications, and serum amylase and lipase to evaluate acute inflammation—the fasting glucose level specifically addresses one of the important long-term management aspects of chronic pancreatitis. Thus, in this context, monitoring fasting glucose is indicated for her ongoing care.