We thank Hao et al for commenting on the Chronic Pancreatitis Prognosis Score (COPPS).1 The aim for developing COPPS was to identify readily available parameters that correspond with the short- and medium-term clinical outcomes of chronic pancreatitis patients and to integrate them into a comprehensive scoring system. No such tool previously existed for the identification of patients at risk for an adverse disease course or for directing treatment. A prognosis score that would have predicted long-term endpoints was not the aim of the COPPS study.