No significant difference in serum C-reactive protein levels was found in the first 2 days in patients with mild pancreatitis compared to those with the severe form of the disease. Using a cut-off point of 11 mg/dl, the sensitivity of serum C-reactive protein in assessing the severity of acute pancreatitis during the first two days of the study was 9% and 57%, the specificity, 93% and 81%, and the accuracy 71% and 74%, respectively.