Assessment of recurrence and complications following uncomplicated diverticulitis

Decision Aid for Colectomy in Recurrent Diverticulitis: Development and Usability Study

BACKGROUND

Diverticular disease is a common gastrointestinal diagnosis with over 2.7 million clinic visits yearly. National guidelines from the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons state that "the decision to recommend elective sigmoid colectomy after recovery from uncomplicated acute diverticulitis should be individualized." However, tools to individualize this decision are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to develop an online educational decision aid (DA) to facilitate effective surgeon and patient communication about treatment options for recurrent left-sided diverticulitis.

METHODS

We used a modified design sprint methodology to create a prototype DA. We engaged a multidisciplinary team and adapted elements from the Ottawa Personal Decision Guide. We then iteratively refined the prototype by conducting a mixed methods assessment of content and usability testing, involving cognitive interviews with patients and surgeons. The findings informed the refinement of the DA. Further testing included an in-clinic feasibility review.

RESULTS

Over a 4-day in-person rapid design sprint, including patients, surgeons, and health communication experts, we developed a prototype of a diverticulitis DA, comprising an interactive website and handout with 3 discrete sections. The first section contains education about diverticulitis and treatment options. The second section clarifies the potential risks and benefits of both clinical treatment options (medical management vs colectomy). The third section invites patients to participate in a value clarification exercise. After navigating the DA, the patient prints a synopsis that they bring to their clinic appointment, which serves as a guide for shared decision-making.

CONCLUSIONS

Design sprint methodology, emphasizing stakeholder co-design and complemented by extensive user testing, is an effective and efficient strategy to create a DA for patients living with recurrent diverticulitis facing critical treatment decisions.

Does surgery improve quality of life in patients with ongoing- or recurrent diverticulitis; a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Recurrences or persistent symptoms after an initial episode of diverticulitis are common, yet surgical treatment is rarely performed. Current guidelines lack clear recommendations on whether or not to operate, even though recent studies suggest an improved quality of life following surgery. The aim of this study is therefore to compare quality of life in patients with recurrent or ongoing diverticulitis treated conservatively versus surgically, giving a more definitive answer to the question of whether or not to operate on these patients.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted in EMBASE, MEDLINE and Cochrane. Only comparative studies reporting on quality of life were included. Statistical analysis included calculation of weighted mean differences and pooled odds ratios.

RESULTS

Five studies were included; two RCT's and three retrospective observational studies. Compared to conservative treatment, the SF-36 scores were higher in the surgically treated group at each follow-up moment but only the difference in SF-36 physical scores at six months follow-up was statistically significant (MD 6.02, 95%CI 2.62-9.42). GIQLI scores were also higher in the surgical group with a MD of 14.01 (95%CI 8.15-19.87) at six months follow-up and 7.42 (95%CI 1.23-12.85) at last available follow-up. Also, at last available follow-up, significantly fewer recurrences occurred in the surgery group (OR 0.10, 95%CI 0.05-0.23, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Although surgery for recurrent diverticulitis is not without risk, it might improve long-term quality of life in patients suffering from recurrent- or ongoing diverticulitis when compared to conservative treatment. Therefore, it should be considered in this patient group.

Recurrence of severe diverticulitis is associated with age and birth decade

BACKGROUND

The risk of recurrence is an important consideration when deciding to treat patients medically or with elective colectomy after recovery from diverticulitis. It is unclear whether age is associated with recurrence. This study aimed to examine the relationship between age and the risk of recurrent diverticulitis while considering important epidemiologic factors, such as birth decade.

METHODS

The Utah Population Database was used to identify individuals with incident severe diverticulitis, defined as requiring an emergency department visit or hospitalization, between 1998 and 2018. This study measured the relationship between age and recurrent severe diverticulitis after adjusting for birth decade and other important variables, such as sex, urban/rural status, complicated diverticulitis, and body mass index using a Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

The cohort included 8606 individuals with a median age of 61 years at index diverticulitis diagnosis. After adjustment, among individuals born in the same birth decade, increasing age at diverticulitis onset was associated with an increased risk of recurrent diverticulitis (hazard ratio [HR] for 10 years, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.5-2.1). Among individuals with the same age of onset, those born in a more recent birth decade were also at greater risk of recurrent diverticulitis (HR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.6-2.3).

CONCLUSION

Among individuals with an index episode of severe diverticulitis, recurrence was associated with increasing age and more recent birth decade. Clinicians may wish to employ age-specific strategies when counseling patients regarding treatment options after a diverticulitis diagnosis.

Predictive risk model of recurrence of acute diverticulitis after the first episode

INTRODUCTION

The recurrence of acute diverticulitis (AD) of the colon is frequent and leads to hospital readmissions and the need for elective surgery in selected cases. It is important to individualize risk factors and develop predictive tools for their identification.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective observational study included 368 patients who were diagnosed with AD between 2016 and 2021 in a tertiary general university hospital during their first episode and who had a good response to antibiotic, percutaneous, or peritoneal lavage treatment. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses of the variables associated with recurrence were performed. Subsequently, a predictive risk score was developed and validated through survival studies.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 50 months, there were 71 (19.3%) cases of recurrence out of a total of 368 patients. The mean time of recurrence was 15 months, and 73.3% of cases of recurrence occurred before 2 years of follow-up. Recurrence was independently associated with presentation with colonic perforation in the antimesenteric location (HR 3.67 95% CI [1.59-8.4]) and a CRP level greater than 100 mg/dl (HR 1.69 95% CI [1.04-2.77). A score with 5 variables was created that differentiated two risk groups: intermediate risk (0-3 points), with 19% recurrence and high risk (more than 3 points), with 42% recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of recurrence after the first episode of diverticulitis can be estimated using predictive scores. The detection of high-risk patients facilitates the individualization of follow-up and treatment.

Development of a Polygenic Risk Score to Predict Diverticulitis

BACKGROUND

Despite its prevalence and associated morbidity, we remain limited in our ability to predict the course of a patient with diverticular disease. Although several clinical and genetic risk factors have been identified, we do not know how these factors relate to one another.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to determine whether a polygenic risk score could improve risk prediction for diverticulitis and recurrent diverticulitis compared with a model using only clinical factors.

DESIGN

This is an observational study.

SETTING

The study examines the predictive ability of a polygenic risk score for diverticulitis developed using prior genome-wide association studies and validated using the MyCode biobank.

PATIENTS

This study included patients of European ancestry in the Geisinger Health System who were enrolled in the MyCode Community Health biobanking program.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The ability of a polygenic risk score to predict diverticulosis, diverticulitis, and recurrent diverticulitis was the main outcome measure of this study.

RESULTS

A total of 60,861 patients were included, of whom 9912 (16.3%) had diverticulosis or diverticulitis (5015 with diverticulosis and 4897 with diverticulitis). When divided into deciles, our polygenic risk score stratified patients by risk of both diverticulosis and diverticulitis with a 2-fold difference in disease risk between the highest and lowest deciles for diverticulitis and a 4.8-fold difference for recurrent complicated diverticulitis. When compared with clinical factors alone, our polygenic risk score was able to improve risk prediction of recurrent diverticulitis.

LIMITATIONS

Our population is largely located in a single geographic region and were classified by disease status, using international classification of diseases codes.

CONCLUSIONS

This predictive model stratifies patients based on genetic risk for diverticular disease. The increased frequency of recurrent disease in our high-risk patients suggests that a polygenic risk score, in addition to other factors, may help guide the discussion regarding surgical intervention. See Video Abstract .

DESARROLLO DE UNA PUNTUACIN DE RIESGO POLIGNICO PARA PREDECIR LA DIVERTICULITIS

ANTECEDENTES:A pesar de su prevalencia y morbilidad asociada, nuestra capacidad para predecir el curso en un paciente con enfermedad diverticular sigue siendo limitada. Si bien se han identificado varios factores de riesgo clínicos y genéticos, no sabemos cómo se relacionan estos factores entre sí.OBJETIVO:Determinar si una puntuación de riesgo poligénico podría mejorar la predicción del riesgo de diverticulitis y diverticulitis recurrente en comparación con un modelo que utiliza solo factores clínicos.DISEÑO:Un estudio observacional que examina la capacidad predictiva de una puntuación de riesgo poligénico para la diverticulitis desarrollada usando estudios previos de asociación amplia del genoma y validada usando el biobanco MyCode.ÁMBITOS Y PACIENTES:Pacientes de ascendencia europea en el Sistema de Salud Geisinger que estaban inscritos en el programa de biobancos MyCode Community Health.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE VALORACIÓN:La capacidad de una puntuación de riesgo poligénico para predecir diverticulosis, diverticulitis y diverticulitis recurrente.RESULTADOS:Se incluyeron un total de 60.861 pacientes, de los cuales 9.912 (16,3%) presentaban diverticulosis o diverticulitis (5.015 con diverticulosis y 4.897 con diverticulitis). Cuando se dividió en deciles, nuestra puntuación de riesgo poligénico estratificó a los pacientes según el riesgo de diverticulosis y diverticulitis con una diferencia de 2 veces en el riesgo de enfermedad entre los deciles más alto y más bajo para diverticulitis y una diferencia de 4,8 veces para diverticulitis complicada recurrente. En comparación con los factores clínicos solos, nuestra puntuación de riesgo poligénico pudo mejorar la predicción del riesgo de diverticulitis recurrente.LIMITACIONES:Nuestra población se encuentra en gran parte en una sola región geográfica y se clasificó por estado de enfermedad utilizando códigos de clasificación internacional de enfermedades.CONCLUSIONES:Este modelo predictivo estratifica a los pacientes en función del riesgo genético de enfermedad diverticular. La mayor frecuencia de enfermedad recurrente en nuestros pacientes de alto riesgo sugiere que un puntaje de riesgo poligénico, además de otros factores, puede ayudar a guiar la discusión sobre la intervención quirúrgica. (Traducción- Dr. Ingrid Melo ).

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Left Lower Quadrant Pain: 2023 Update

The differential diagnosis for left lower quadrant pain is wide and conditions range from the benign and self-limited to life-threatening surgical emergencies. Along with patient history, physical examination, and laboratory tests, imaging is often critical to limit the differential diagnosis and identify life-threatening abnormalities. This document will discuss the guidelines for the appropriate use of imaging in the initial workup for patients who present with left lower quadrant pain, patients with suspected diverticulitis, and patients with suspected complications from diverticulitis. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

The outcomes of right-sided and left-sided colonic diverticulitis following non-operative management: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

There is no sufficient overview of outcomes in right-sided and left-sided colonic diverticulitis (CD) following non-operative management. This systematic review was conducted to evaluate the recurrence/treatment failure in right-sided and left-sided CD.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library from inception to Dec 2021 were searched. The study characteristics, recurrence/treatment failure, and risk factors for recurrence/treatment failure were extracted. Proportional meta-analyses were performed to calculate the pooled recurrent/treatment failure rate of right-sided and left-sided CD using the random effect model. Logistic regression was applied for the factors associated with the recurrence/treatment failure.

Results

Thirty-eight studies with 10,129 patients were included, and only two studies comprised both sides of CD. None of the studies had a high risk of bias although significant heterogeneity existed. The pooled recurrence rate was 10% (95% CI 8–13%, I² = 86%, p < 0.01) in right-sided and 20% (95% CI 16–24%, I² = 92%, p < 0.01) in left-sided CD. For the uncomplicated CD, the pooled recurrence rate was 9% (95% CI 6–13%, I² = 77%, p < 0.01) in right-sided and 15% (95% CI 8–27%, I² = 97%, p < 0.01) in the left-sided. Age and gender were not associated with the recurrence of both sides. The treatment failure rate was 5% (95% CI 2–10%, I² = 84%, p < 0.01) in right-sided and 4% (95% CI 2–7%, I² = 80%, p < 0.01) in left-sided CD. The risk factors for recurrence and treatment failure were limited.

Conclusion

Non-operative management is effective with low rates of recurrence and treatment failure for both right-sided and left-sided CD although left-sided exhibits a higher recurrence. The recurrence rates did not differ between patients receiving antibiotics or not in uncomplicated CD. Age and sex were not associated with the recurrence although other risk factors were dispersing. Further risk factors for recurrence and treatment failure would be investigated for precise clinical decision-making and individualized strategy.

Recurrence of Uncomplicated Diverticulitis: A Meta-Analysis

Background and objective: This study aimed to investigate the estimated rate and risk of recurrence of uncomplicated diverticulitis (UCD) after the first episode through a meta-analysis. Methods: Eligible studies were searched and reviewed; 27 studies were included in this study. Subgroup analyses were performed, based on lesion location, medical treatment, follow-up period, and study location. Results: The estimated recurrence rate of UCD was 0.129 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.102–0.162). The recurrence rates of the right-and left-sided colon were 0.092 (95% CI 27.063–0.133) and 0.153 (95% CI 0.104–0.218), respectively. The recurrence rate according to follow-up period was highest in the subgroup 1–2 years, compared with that of other subgroups. The recurrence rate of the Asian subgroup was significantly lower than that of the non-Asian subgroup (0.092, 95% CI 0.064–0.132 vs. 0.147, 95% CI 0.110–0.192; p = 0.043 in the meta-regression test). There were significant correlations between UCD recurrence and older age and higher body temperature. However, UCD recurrence was not significantly correlated with medications, such as antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs. Conclusions: In this study, detailed information on estimated recurrence rates of UCD was obtained. In addition, older age and higher body temperature may be risk factors for UCD recurrence after the first episode.

Changing Paradigms in the Management of Acute Uncomplicated Diverticulitis

Left-sided colonic diverticulitis is a common condition with significant morbidity and health care costs in Western countries. Acute uncomplicated diverticulitis which is characterized by the absence of organ dysfunction, abscesses, fistula, or perforations accounts for around 80% of the cases. In the last decades, several traditional paradigms in the management of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis have been replaced by evidence-based routines. This review provides a comprehensive evidence-based and clinical-oriented overview of up-to-date diagnostics with computer tomography, non-antibiotic treatment, outpatient treatment, and surgical strategies as well as follow-up of patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis.

The Indications for and Timing of Surgery for Diverticular Disease

BACKGROUND

Diverticular disease is one of the more common abdominal disorders. In 2016, approximately 130 000 patients received inpatient treatment for diverticular disease in Germany. The disease has a number of subtypes, each of which has an appropriate treatment. In this article, we present the current surgical indications and optimal timing of surgery for diverticular disease.

METHODS

This review is based on publications that were retrieved by an extensive, selective search in Medline and the Cochrane Library (1998-2018) for studies and guidelines with information on the indications for surgery in diverticular disease.

RESULTS

Studies of evidence grades 2 to 4 were available. Patients receiving a diagnosis of freely perforated diverticulitis and peritonitis (Classification of Diverticular Disease [CDD] type 2c) should be operated on at once. Covered perforated diverticulitis with a macroabscess (>1 cm, CDD type 2b) may be an indication for elective surgery after successful conservative treatment. New evidence from a randomized, controlled trial suggests that elective surgery should also be considered for patients with chronic recurrent diverticulitis (CDD type 3b). The decisive factor in such cases is the impairment of the quality of life for the individual patient. Elective surgery is indicated in chronic recurrent diverticulitis with complications (fistulae, stenoses). Asymptomatic diverticulosis (CDD type 0) and uncomplicated diverticulitis (CDD type 1) are not surgical indications. Likewise, in diverticular hemorrhage (CDD type 4), surgery is only indicated in exceptional cases, when conservative treatment fails.

CONCLUSION

The surgical indication and the proper timing of surgery depend on the type of disease that is present. Future studies should more thoroughly investigate the effect of surgery on the quality of life in patients with the various types of diverticular disease.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Left Lower Quadrant Pain-Suspected Diverticulitis

This review summarizes the relevant literature regarding imaging of suspected diverticulitis as an etiology for left lower quadrant pain, and imaging of complications of acute diverticulitis. The most common cause of left lower quadrant pain in adults is acute sigmoid or descending colonic diverticulitis. Appropriate imaging triage for patients with suspected diverticulitis should address the differential diagnostic possibilities and what information is necessary to make a definitive management decision. Patients with diverticulitis may require surgery or interventional radiology procedures because of associated complications, including abscesses, fistulas, obstruction, or perforation. As a result, there has been a trend toward greater use of imaging to confirm the diagnosis of diverticulitis, evaluate the extent of disease, and detect complications before deciding on appropriate treatment. Additionally, in the era of bundled payments and minimizing health care costs, patients with acute diverticulitis are being managed on an outpatient basis and rapid diagnostic imaging at the time of initial symptoms helps to streamline and triage patients to the appropriate treatment pathway. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

European Society of Coloproctology: guidelines for the management of diverticular disease of the colon

AIM

The goal of this European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP) guideline project is to give an overview of the existing evidence on the management of diverticular disease, primarily as a guidance to surgeons.

METHODS

The guideline was developed during several working phases including three voting rounds and one consensus meeting. The two project leads (JKS and EA) appointed by the ESCP guideline committee together with one member of the guideline committee (WB) agreed on the methodology, decided on six themes for working groups (WGs) and drafted a list of research questions. Senior WG members, mostly colorectal surgeons within the ESCP, were invited based on publication records and geographical aspects. Other specialties were included in the WGs where relevant. In addition, one trainee or PhD fellow was invited in each WG. All six WGs revised the research questions if necessary, did a literature search, created evidence tables where feasible, and drafted supporting text to each research question and statement. The text and statement proposals from each WG were arranged as one document by the first and last authors before online voting by all authors in two rounds. For the second voting ESCP national representatives were also invited. More than 90% agreement was considered a consensus. The final phrasing of the statements with < 90% agreement was discussed in a consensus meeting at the ESCP annual meeting in Vienna in September 2019. Thereafter, the first and the last author drafted the final text of the guideline and circulated it for final approval and for a third and final online voting of rephrased statements.

RESULTS

This guideline contains 38 evidence based consensus statements on the management of diverticular disease.

CONCLUSION

This international, multidisciplinary guideline provides an up to date summary of the current knowledge of the management of diverticular disease as a guidance for clinicians and patients.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of disease severity and risk of recurrence in young versus elderly patients with left-sided acute diverticulitis

Young patients are thought to have a more severe disease course and a higher rate of recurrent diverticulitis. However, these understandings are mainly based on studies with important limitations. This review aimed to clarify the true natural history of acute diverticulitis in young patients compared to elderly patients. PubMed and MEDLINE were searched for studies reporting outcomes on disease severity or recurrences in young and elderly patients with a computed tomography-proven diagnosis of acute diverticulitis. Twenty-seven studies were included. The proportion of complicated diverticulitis at presentation (21 studies) was not different for young patients (age cut-off 40-50 years) compared to elderly patients [risk ratio (RR) 1.19; 95% confidence interval 0.94-1.50]. The need for emergency surgery (11 studies) or percutaneous abscess drainage (two studies) yielded comparable results for both groups with a RR of 0.93 (95% confidence interval 0.70-1.24) and 1.65 (95% confidence interval 0.60-4.57), respectively. Crude data on recurrent diverticulitis rates (12 studies) demonstrated a significantly higher RR of 1.47 (95% confidence interval 1.20-1.80) for young patients. Notably, no association between age and recurrent diverticulitis was found in the studies that used survival analyses, taking length of follow-up per age group into account. In conclusion, young patients do not have a more severe course of acute diverticulitis. Published data on the risk of recurrent diverticulitis in young patients are conflicting, but those with the most robust design do not demonstrate an increased risk. Therefore, young patients should not be treated more aggressively nor have a lower threshold for elective surgery just because of their age.

Role of dietary fibre in older adults with asymptomatic (AS) or symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD): Systematic review and meta-analysis

Dietary fibre and probiotics may play a role in the management of diverticular disease. This systematic review synthesises the evidence on the effects of dietary fibre modifications, with or without the use of probiotics, on the incidence in older adults of asymptomatic (AS) or symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD), as well as on gastrointestinal function and symptoms. Five electronic databases were searched for studies through to December 2018. The body of evidence was appraised using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and GRADE. Nine studies were included, with mean sample ages ranging from 57 to 70 years, and three meta-analyses were performed. Only one study, with high risk of bias, measured the effect of dietary fibre on the incidence of diverticulitis. Dietary fibre supplementation improved stool weight (MD: 42 g/day, P < 0.00001; GRADE level of evidence: low), but had no significant effect on gastrointestinal symptoms (SMD: -0.13, P = 0.16; GRADE level of evidence: low) or stool transit time (MD: -3.70, P = 0.32 GRADE level of evidence: low). There was "very low" confidence for the body of evidence supporting symbiotics for AS or SUDD. A high dietary fibre intake, in line with dietary guidelines, may improve gastrointestinal function and is recommended in patients with AS or SUDD. Dietary fibre supplementation should be considered on an individualised basis to improve bowel function, while any recommendation on symbiotic supplements requires further well-designed research. Future studies should also measure the impact on the incidence of diverticulitis.

Prospective randomized clinical trial of uncomplicated right-sided colonic diverticulitis: antibiotics versus no antibiotics

PURPOSE

Antibiotics are widely used in the treatment of uncomplicated left-sided colonic diverticulitis. In Asian countries, however, right-sided colonic diverticulitis is more common than left-sided colonic diverticulitis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the need for antibiotics in the treatment of uncomplicated right-sided colonic diverticulitis in an Asian population.

METHODS

Patients were randomized to two management strategies: antibiotics and no antibiotics. At 4-6 weeks after discharge, the patients in both groups underwent computed tomography or were contacted by phone to confirm the effectiveness of the treatment. The primary end point was the treatment failure rate of the initial treatment, and secondary end points were the length of hospital stay and total admission costs.

RESULTS

Patients were randomized to treatment with (61 patients) or without (64 patients) antibiotics. The rates of treatment failure in the antibiotics and no antibiotics groups were 1.7% and 4.6%, respectively, with no significant difference (P = 0.619). There was also no significant difference in the length of hospital stay between the groups (P = 0.983). Total admission costs were lower in the no antibiotics group than in the antibiotics group (US$1004.70 vs US$1112.40, respectively, P = 0.037).

CONCLUSION

Conservative management of uncomplicated right-sided colonic diverticulitis without antibiotics shows similar treatment failure rates and length of hospital stay, and is associated with lower hospital costs, compared with standard antibiotic treatment. Therefore, conservative management can be considered as a safe treatment option.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrial.gov No. NCT02314013.

Antibiotics Versus No Antibiotics for Acute Uncomplicated Diverticulitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Antibiotics are routinely used for diverticulitis irrespective of severity. Current practice guidelines favor against the use of antibiotics for acute uncomplicated diverticulitis.

OBJECTIVE

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the role of antibiotic use in an episode of uncomplicated diverticulitis.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane were used.

STUDY SELECTION

Eligible studies included those with patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis receiving any antibiotics compared with patients not receiving any antibiotics (or observed alone).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Pooled odds rate of total complications, treatment failure, recurrent diverticulitis, readmission rate, sigmoid resection, mortality rate, and length of stay were measured.

RESULTS

Of 1050 citations reviewed, 7 studies were eligible for the analysis. There were total of 2241 patients: 895 received antibiotics (mean age = 59.1 y; 38% men) and 1346 did not receive antibiotics (mean age = 59.4 y; 37% men). Antibiotics were later added in 2.7% patients who initially were observed off antibiotics. Length of hospital stay was not significantly different among either group (no antibiotics = 3.1 d vs antibiotics = 4.5 d; p = 0.20). Pooled rate of recurrent diverticulitis was not significantly different among both groups (pooled OR = 1.27 (95%, CI 0.90-1.79); p = 0.18). Rate of total complications (pooled OR = 1.99 (95% CI, 0.66-6.01); p = 0.22), treatment failure (pooled OR = 0.68 (95% CI, 0.42-1.09); p = 0.11), readmissions (pooled OR = 0.75 (95% CI, 0.44-1.30); p = 0.31). and patients who required sigmoid resection (pooled OR = 3.37 (95% CI, 0.65-17.34); p = 0.15) were not significantly different among patients who received antibiotics and those who did not. Mortality rates were 4 of 1310 (no-antibiotic group) versus 4 of 863 (antibiotic group).

LIMITATIONS

Only 2 randomized controlled studies were available and there was high heterogeneity in existing data.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis of current literature shows that patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis can be monitored off antibiotics.

What is the Long-Term Follow-Up of Nonoperatively Treated Patients with Appendicitis?

In this study, we determine outcomes after nonoperative treatment of appendicitis. First, we abstracted data for patients discharged with a diagnosis of appendicitis from a tertiary care facility from August 1, 2007, through June 30, 2017. For patients treated nonoperatively, we collected additional medical treatment for appendicitis, future surgical treatment, and date of last follow-up. In our study, we identified 487 patients treated for appendicitis. From this group, 66 patients were successfully treated nonoperatively. Eight patients (12%) had an interval appendectomy at a mean follow-up time of two months. Of the 58 remaining patients, 20 (34%) did not have any further appendicitis-related issues over a mean follow-up period of 25 months. A total of 38 (66%) had recurring or additional concerns requiring further treatment or emergent surgery within a mean time of four months. A large proportion, 76 per cent (n = 29), required unscheduled or emergent appendectomy. There were more patients diagnosed with an abscess (55%) in the group that had further appendicitis issues. In conclusion, nonoperative treatment of appendicitis is associated with significant likelihood of future appendicitis-related treatment or emergency surgery (66%). In addition, patients diagnosed with an abscess are at particularly high risk of future appendicitis-related issues.

Impact of CT imaging on predicting the surgical management of acute diverticulitis

Purpose

The incidence of colonic diverticular disease is increasing, and several grading systems based on CT findings have been developed. The objective of this study was to define the impact of various CT findings of colonic diverticulitis and to demonstrate which factors affect the need for operative treatment.

Methods

Three hundred fifty-seven patients diagnosed with colonic diverticulitis from January 2010 to July 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were excluded if pure diverticulosis, diverticular bleeding, colon cancer, or relevant data deficiencies, and the remaining patients (n = 178) were reviewed. Patients were categorized into a successful nonoperation group and an operation group. The operation group was then matched 1:2 with the nonoperative group based on age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, and body mass index.

Results

After propensity score matching, there were no significant differences regarding patients' demographic characteristics between the 2 groups. Left location was more associated with need for operation than the right side (79.2% vs. 31.3%, P < 0.001). CT findings such as distant intraperitoneal air, pericolic air, and free fluid were significantly more apparent in the operation group. When these factors were evaluated in a multivariate analysis, distant intraperitoneal air showed statistical significance (P = 0.046) and pericolic air and left location a significant trend (P = 0.071 and P = 0.067, respectively).

Conclusion

This study suggests that distant intraperitoneal air is the most important factor in the need for surgery in patients with colonic diverticulitis. Further study will be able to identify more detailed CT findings and verify their significance, and will be helpful in designing practical scoring and classification systems.

Randomized clinical trial of elective resection versus observation in diverticulitis with extraluminal air or abscess initially managed conservatively

Background

The aim of this RCT was to determine whether elective resection following successful non-operative management of a first episode of acute sigmoid diverticulitis complicated by extraluminal air with or without abscess is superior to observation in terms of recurrence rates.

Methods

This was a single-centre, sequential design RCT. Patients were randomized to elective surgery or observation following non-operative management and colonoscopy. Non-operative management included nil by mouth, intravenous fluids, intravenous antibiotics, CT with intravenous contrast on arrival at hospital, and repeat CT with intravenous and rectal contrast on day 3 in hospital. The primary endpoint was recurrent diverticulitis at 24 months. Patients with a history of sigmoid diverticulitis, immunosuppression or peritonitis were not included.

Results

Of 137 screened patients, 107 were assigned randomly to elective surgery (26) or observation (81), and underwent the allocated intervention after successful non-operative management. Conservative management failed in 15 patients. Groups were similar in age, sex, BMI, co-morbidities and colorectal POSSUM. Rates of recurrent diverticulitis differed significantly in the elective surgery and observation groups (8 versus 32 per cent; P = 0·019) at a mean(s.d.) follow-up of 37·8(8·6) and 35·2(9·2) months respectively. There was also a significant difference in time to recurrence (median 11 versus 7 months; P = 0·015). A total of 28 patients presented with recurrent diverticulitis complicated by extraluminal air and/or abscess (2 elective surgery, 26 observation), all of whom recovered with repeat non-operative management.

Conclusion

The majority of patients observed following conservative management of diverticulitis with local extraluminal air do not require elective surgery. Registration number: NCT01986686 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Long-term quality of life after conservative treatment versus surgery for different stages of acute sigmoid diverticulitis

PURPOSE

It is controversial whether patients fare better with conservative or surgical treatment in certain stages of acute diverticulitis (AD), in particular when phlegmonous inflammation or covered micro- or macro-perforation are present. The aim of this study was to determine long-term quality of life (QoL) for AD patients who received either surgery or conservative treatment in different stages.

METHODS

We included patients treated for AD at the University Hospital Grosshadern, Munich, Germany, between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2010. Patients were classified by the Hansen and Stock (HS) classification, the modified Hinchey classification, and the German classification of diverticular disease (CDD). Pre-therapeutic staging was based on multidetector computed tomography. Long-term QoL was assessed by the Cleveland Global Quality of Life (CGQL) questionnaire, the Short Form 36 (SF-36), and the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI). Data are mean ± SEM.

RESULTS

Patients with phlegmonous AD (HS type 2a, Hinchey Ia and CDD 1b, respectively) had a better long-term QoL on the GIQLI when they were operated (78.5 ± 2.5 vs. 70.7 ± 2.1; p < 0.05). Patients with micro-abscess (CDD 2a) had a better long-term QoL on the GIQLI, CGQL, and the "Role Physical" scale of the SF-36 when they were not operated (GIQLI 86.9 ± 2.1 vs. 76.8 ± 1.0; p = 0.10; CGQL 82.8 ± 5.1 vs. 65.3 ± 11.0; p = 0.08; SF-36/Role Physical 100 ± 0.0 vs. 41.7 ± 13.9; p < 0.001). Patients with macro-abscess (CDD 2b) had a better long-term QoL when they were operated (GIQLI 89.3 ± 1.4 vs. 69.5 ± 4.5; p < 0.01; CGQL 80.3 ± 7.6 vs. 60.5 ± 5.8; p < 0.05; SF-36/Role Physical 95.8 ± 4.2 vs. 47.9 ± 13.6; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Considering long-term QoL, phlegmonous AD (HS type 2a, Hinchey Ia and CDD 1b, respectively) should be treated conservatively. In patients with covered perforation, abscess size should guide the decision on whether to perform surgery later on or not. In the light of long-term quality of life, patients fare better after elective sigmoid colectomy when abscess size exceeds 1 cm.

Antibiotics versus no antibiotics in the treatment of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis - a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (AUD) is common and antibiotics are the cornerstone of traditional conservative management. This approach lacks clear evidence base and studies have recently suggested that avoidance of antibiotics is a safe and efficacious way to manage AUD. The aim of this systematic review is to determine the safety and efficacy of treating AUD without antibiotics.

METHODS

A systematic search of Embase, Cochrane library, MEDLINE, Science Citation Index Expanded, and ClinicalTrials. gov was performed. Studies comparing antibiotics versus no antibiotics in the treatment of AUD were included. Meta-analysis was performed using the random effects model with the primary outcome measure being diverticulitis-associated complications. Secondary outcomes were readmission rate, diverticulitis recurrence, mean hospital stay, requirement for surgery and requirement for percutaneous drainage.

RESULTS

Eight studies were included involving 2469 patients; 1626 in the non-antibiotic group (NAb) and 843 in the antibiotic group (Ab). There was a higher complication rate in the Ab group however this was not significant (1.9% versus 2.6%) with a combined risk ratio (RR) of 0.63 (95% CI, 0.25 to 1.57, p=0.32). There was a shorter mean length of hospital stay in the Nab group (standard mean difference of -1.18 (95% CI, -2.34 to -0.03 p= 0.04). There was no significant difference in readmission, recurrence and surgical intervention rate or requirement for percutaneous drainage.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of AUD without antibiotics may be feasible with outcomes that are comparable to antibiotic treatment and with potential benefits for patients and the NHS. Large scale randomised multicentre studies are needed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Recent advances in understanding and managing diverticulitis

In the past few decades, the increasing socioeconomic burden of acute diverticulitis (AD) has become evident, and with the growth of the population age, this significant economic impact will likely continue to rise. Furthermore, recent evidence showed an increased rate of hospital admissions especially evident among women and younger individuals. The natural history and pathophysiology of this clinical condition is still to be fully defined, and efforts continue to be made in the identification of risk factors and the establishment of relative preventive strategies. The actual therapeutic strategies aimed to modulate gut microbiota, such as rifaximin or probiotics, or to reduce mucosal inflammation, such as mesalazine, present a relatively poor efficacy for both the prevention of the first AD episode (primary prevention) and its recurrence (secondary prevention). In the last few years, the main goal achieved has been in the management of AD in that uncomplicated AD can, to a larger extent, be managed in an outpatient setting with no or little supportive therapy, a strategy that will certainly impact on the health costs of this disease. The problem of AD recurrence remains a topic of debate. The aim of this review is to present updated evidence on AD epidemiology and relative open clinical questions and to analyze in detail predisposing and protective factors with an attempt to integrate their possible modes of action into the several pathogenic mechanisms that have been suggested to contribute to this multifactorial disease. A unifying hypothesis dealing with the colonic luminal and extra-luminal microenvironments separately is provided. Finally, evidence-based changes in therapeutic management will be summarized. Because of an ascertained multifactorial pathogenesis of uncomplicated and complicated AD, it is probable that a single 'causa prima' will not be identifiable, and a better stratification of patients could allow one to pursue tailored therapeutic algorithm strategies.

Contemporary Review of Risk-Stratified Management in Acute Uncomplicated and Complicated Diverticulitis

BACKGROUND

Acute colonic diverticulitis is a common clinical condition. Severity of the disease is based on clinical, laboratory, and radiological investigations and dictates the need for medical or surgical intervention. Recent clinical trials have improved the understanding of the natural history of the disease resulting in new approaches to and better evidence for the management of acute diverticulitis.

METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Library (years 2004-2015), MEDLINE (years 2004-2015), and EMBASE (years 2004-2015) databases. We used the search terms "diverticulitis, colonic" or "acute diverticulitis" or "divertic*" in combination with the terms "management," "antibiotics," "non-operative," or "surgery." Registers for clinical trials (such as the WHO registry and the https://clinicaltrials.gov/ ) were searched for ongoing, recruiting, or closed trials not yet published.

RESULTS

Antibiotic treatment can be avoided in simple, non-complicated diverticulitis and outpatient management is safe. The management of complicated disease, ranging from a localized abscess to perforation with diffuse peritonitis, has changed towards either percutaneous or minimally invasive approaches in selected cases. The role of laparoscopic lavage without resection in perforated non-fecal diverticulitis is still debated; however, recent evidence from two randomised controlled trials has found a higher re-intervention in this group of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

A shift in management has occurred towards conservative management in acute uncomplicated disease. Those with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis may be treated without antibiotics. For complicated diverticulitis with purulent peritonitis, the use of peritoneal lavage appears to be non-superior to resection.

Conservative Treatment of Acute Colonic Diverticulitis

Purpose of Review

Since the treatment of acute diverticulitis has become more conservative over the last years, knowledge of conservative treatment strategies is increasingly important.

Recent Findings

Several treatment strategies that previously have been imposed as routine treatment are now obsolete. Uncomplicated diverticulitis patients can be treated without antibiotics, without bed rest, and without dietary restrictions; and a selected group of patients can be treated as outpatients. Also, patients with isolated pericolic extraluminal air can be treated conservatively as well. Whereas some patient subgroups have been suggested to suffer from a more virulent disease course or higher recurrence rates, current evidence does not support all traditional understandings. Patients on immunosuppression or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs seem to have a higher risk of complicated diverticulitis, but young patients do not. Data on the risk of recurrent diverticulitis in young patients is conflicting but the risk seems comparable to elderly patients. Besides the traditional treatments, several new treatment strategies have emerged but have failed thus far. Mesalazine does not have any beneficial effect on preventing recurrent diverticulitis based on current literature. Rifaximin and probiotics have been studied insufficiently in acute diverticulitis patients to conclude on their efficacy.

Summary

This review provides an overview of recent developments in conservative treatment strategies of acute diverticulitis and discusses the latest evidence on patient subgroups that have been suggested to suffer from an aberrant disease course.

Surgical treatment of uncomplicated diverticulitis in Switzerland: comparison of population-based data over two time periods

AIM

The standard of care for acute uncomplicated diverticulitis used to be an elective colon resection after the second or third episode. This practice was replaced by a more conservative and individualized approach. This study investigates current surgical practice in the treatment of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis in Switzerland.

METHOD

Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of all hospital admissions due to uncomplicated diverticulitis in Switzerland using prospectively collected data from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office in two periods: 2004/2005 and 2010/2011. Treatment options were compared between the two periods with adjustment for baseline characteristics of patients and treating institutions.

RESULTS

A total of 24 497 patients (11 835 in 2004/2005; 12 662 in 2010/2011) were admitted to Swiss hospitals for uncomplicated diverticulitis. Between periods, the incidence increased from 81 to 85 admissions per 10⁵ inhabitants per year. Elective admissions decreased from 46% (n = 5490) to 34% (n = 4294). The unadjusted resection rate decreased from 40% (n = 4730) to 34% (n = 4308). In the adjusted analysis, inpatients were more likely to have a resection in 2010/2011 than in 2004/2005 [odds ratio of 1.38 (95% confidence interval 1.25-1.54)]. In addition, private insurance, elective mode of admission and younger age increased the odds for resection while there was no evidence of an association between resection and either gender or comorbidities.

CONCLUSION

The probability of colon resection for patients hospitalized with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis increased between periods while the overall number of colon resections declined. A change of practice expected given the paradigm shift towards conservative treatment could not be confirmed in this analysis.

Rifaximin and diverticular disease: Position paper of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology (SIGE)

Management of diverticular disease has significantly improved in the last decade. Antibiotic treatment is used for symptom relief and prevention of complications. In Italy, the non-absorbable antibiotic rifaximin is one of the most frequently used drugs, and it is perceived as the reference drug to treat symptomatic diverticular disease. Its non-systemic absorption and high faecal concentrations have oriented rifaximin use to the gastrointestinal tract, where rifaximin exerts eubiotic effects representing an additional value to its antibiotic activity. This position paper was commissioned by the Italian Society of Gastroenterology governing board for a panel of experts (RC, GB, BA) to highlight the indications for treatment of diverticular disease. There is a lack of rationale for drug use for the primary prevention of diverticulitis in patients with diverticulosis; thus, rifaximin use should be avoided. The cyclic use of rifaximin, in association with high-fibre intake, is safe and useful for the treatment of symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease, even if the cost-efficacy of long-term treatment remains to be determined. The use of rifaximin in the prevention of diverticulitis recurrence is promising, but the low therapeutic advantage needs to be verified. No evidence is available on the efficacy of rifaximin treatment on acute uncomplicated diverticulitis.

Adherence to clinical guidelines and the potential economic benefits of admission avoidance for acute uncomplicated diverticulitis

BACKGROUND

The treatment paradigm for acute diverticulitis is changing. There is an increasing trend towards managing patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis in the community.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to analyse how acute diverticulitis is managed in our institution and also to analyse national data pertaining to treatment of acute diverticulitis.

METHODS

A prospective database of all patients admitted to our institution over a 2-year period (2014-2016) with acute diverticulitis was maintained. Severity of disease, treatment received and average length of stay (LOS) were analysed for all patients. Contemporaneous hospital inpatient enquiry (HIPE) data was interrogated to analyse current management for acute diverticulitis at a national level.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty-six patients were admitted to our institution with acute diverticulitis during the study period (inpatient stay = €1277/night). Of patients, 59.5% had uncomplicated diverticulitis while 40.5% had complicated disease. The median LOS was 4 (range 1-34) days and 8 (range 2-51) days in the uncomplicated and complicated group, respectively. Based on HIPE data, there were 11,357 patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis and 526 patients with complicated diverticulitis admitted to Irish hospitals in the year 2015. Nationally, the median LOS for those with uncomplicated diverticulitis was 3 (range 1-142) days and for those with complicated diverticulitis the median LOS was 7 (range 1-308) days. Projected total cost for hospital stay nationally for uncomplicated diverticulitis amounted to €43.5 million for the year 2015.

CONCLUSIONS

At present, uncomplicated diverticulitis in Ireland is not being managed as per evidence-based guidelines. Changing practice could result in significant cost savings for surgical departments.

Risk factors for recurrence after acute colonic diverticulitis: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Several factors may influence the risk of recurrence after an episode of acute colonic diverticulitis. Until now, a comprehensive systematic overview and evaluation of relevant risk factors have not been presented. This review aimed at assembling and evaluating current evidence on risk factors for recurrence after conservatively treated acute colonic diverticulitis.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for studies evaluating risk factors for recurrence after acute diverticulitis treated non-surgically defined as antibiotic treatment, percutaneous abscess drainage, or by observation. Randomized clinical trials and observational studies were included. Analyzed outcome variables were extracted and grouped. No meta-analysis was performed due to low inter-study comparability. Variables were rated according to their likelihood of causing recurrence (no/low, medium, high).

RESULTS

Of 1153 screened records, 35 studies were included, enrolling 396,676 patients with acute diverticulitis. A total of 50,555 patients experienced recurrences. Primary diverticulitis with abscess formation and young age increased the risk of recurrence. Readmission risk was higher within the first year after remission. In addition, the risk of subsequent diverticulitis more than doubled after two earlier episodes of diverticulitis and the risk increased further for every episode.

CONCLUSIONS

The best treatment strategy for recurrent diverticulitis is undetermined. However, the risk of a new recurrence seemed to increase after each recurrence making elective resection a viable option at some point after multiple recurrences depending on patient risk factors and preferences.

Acute colonic diverticulitis: an update on clinical classification and management with MDCT correlation

Currently, the most commonly used classification of acute colonic diverticulitis (ACD) is the modified Hinchey classification, which corresponds to a slightly more complex classification by comparison with the original description. This modified classification allows to categorize patients with ACD into four major categories (I, II, III, IV) and two additional subcategories (Ia and Ib), depending on the severity of the disease. Several studies have clearly demonstrated the impact of this classification for determining the best therapeutic approach and predicting perioperative complications for patients who need surgery. This review provides an update on the classification of ACD along with a special emphasis on the corresponding MDCT features of the different categories and subcategories. This modified Hinchey classification should be known by emergency physicians, radiologists, and surgeons in order to improve patient care and management because each category has a specific therapeutic approach.

Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis

Diverticular disease is a common condition that is associated with variable presentations. For this review article, we performed a review of articles in PubMed through February 1, 2016, by using the following MeSH terms: colon diverticula, colonic diverticulitis, colonic diverticulosis, colonic diverticulum, colonic diverticula, and diverticula. Diverticula are structural alterations within the colonic wall that classically form "pockets" referred to as diverticula. Diverticula form from herniation of the colonic mucosa and submucosa through defects in the circular muscle layers within the colonic wall. Often this is at the sites of penetrating blood vessels in the colon. Diverticular disease is extremely common, which resulted in 2,682,168 outpatient visits and 283,355 hospitalization discharges for diverticulitis or diverticulosis in 2009. Diverticulosis is one of the most common detected conditions found incidentally on colonoscopy. Risk factors for the development of diverticulitis include obesity, smoking, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and opiates. In contrast, fiber may be protective, but recent studies have questioned the role of fiber in developing diverticular disease. Most patients with diverticulosis will be asymptomatic, but a subset of patients may develop nonspecific abdominal pain (isolated or recurrent), diverticulitis, or segmental colitis associated with diverticulosis. Classically, the treatment of diverticulitis has included antibiotics for all patients. More recent evidence indicates that in mild to even moderate uncomplicated diverticulitis, antibiotics may not be as necessary as initially believed. In more complicated diverticulitis, intravenous antibiotics and surgery may be necessary. Once a patient has had an attack of diverticulitis, increasing fiber may help prevent future attacks. Other modalities such as 5-aminosalicylate products, antibiotics, and probiotics are still of unclear benefit in preventing future episodes of diverticulitis. Similarly, even when patients develop recurrent episodes of diverticulitis, surgery may not be necessary as a prophylactic treatment.

Acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis: clinical expressions, therapeutic insights, and role of computed tomography

The diagnostic approach of patients with suspected acute diverticulitis remains debated. On the one hand, a scoring system with the best predictive value in diagnosing acute diverticulitis has been developed in order to reduce the use of computed tomography (CT) scan, while, on the other hand, patients with a high probability of acute diverticulitis should benefit from CT scan from a clinical viewpoint, ensuring that they will receive the most appropriate treatment. The place and classification of CT scan for acute diverticulitis need to be reassessed. If the management of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis, abscess, and fecal peritonitis is now well codified, urgent surgical or medical treatment of hemodynamically stable patients presenting with intraperitoneal air or fluid without uncontrolled sepsis is still under discussion. Furthermore, the indications for laparoscopic lavage are not yet well established. It is known for years that episode(s) of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis may induce painful recurrent bowel symptoms, known as symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease and irritable bowel syndrome-like diverticular disease. These two clinical expressions of diverticular disease, that may darken quality of life, are treated medically aimed at symptom relief. The possible place of surgery should be discussed. Clinical and CT scan classifications should be separated entities.

Predictive factors for colonic resection in patients less than 49 years with symptomatic diverticular disease

BACKGROUND

Diverticular disease is a condition strongly associated with low-fiber intake and obesity. There have been reports of an increasing incidence in younger individuals ranging from 12% to 21% of all cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the management of complicated diverticular disease in patients less than 49 years and attempt to identify factors predictive of a more virulent course.

METHODS

An analysis of a prospectively updated database of all patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of acute diverticulitis from 2005 to 2013 was performed. Data collected included age, length of stay, inflammatory markers on admission, use of computed tomography (CT), and Hinchey Classification. SPSS version 22 was used for statistical analysis, and a P value of .05 or less was considered significant.

RESULTS

A total of 120 (54 female and 66 male) patients less than 49 (28 to 49, 42.1) years were noted to have a diagnosis of acute diverticulitis. Twelve patients (10%) required colonic resection for complicated diverticulitis. Histological evaluation revealed 5 cases of stricture, 2 obstruction, and 5 perforations. On multivariate analysis, predictors of operative intervention and/or colonic resection included, (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]) patients aged 40 to 49 years (.92 [.9 to .95]) and elevated C-reactive protein on index admission (1.4 [1.32 to 1.54]). Females were less likely to undergo colonic resection compared with males (1.18 [1.15 to 1.2]). Median length of stay was 4 days (1 to 48) for patients managed nonoperatively and 13 days (5 to 27) for those who underwent surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Most younger patients with acute diverticulitis can be treated successfully by conservative means. However, a proportion of patients require aggressive surgical management.

Natural history of uncomplicated sigmoid diverticulitis

While diverticular disease is extremely common, the natural history (NH) of its most frequent presentation (i.e., sigmoid diverticulitis) is poorly investigated. Relevant information is mostly restricted to population-based or retrospective studies. This comprehensive review aimed to evaluate the NH of simple sigmoid diverticulitis. While there is a clear lack of uniformity in terminology, which results in difficulties interpreting and comparing findings between studies, this review demonstrates the benign nature of simple sigmoid diverticulitis. The overall recurrence rate is relatively low, ranging from 13% to 47%, depending on the definition used by the authors. Among different risk factors for recurrence, patients with C-reactive protein > 240 mg/L are three times more likely to recur. Other risk factors include: Young age, a history of several episodes of acute diverticulitis, medical vs surgical management, male patients, radiological signs of complicated first episode, higher comorbidity index, family history of diverticulitis, and length of involved colon > 5 cm. The risk of developing a complicated second episode (and its corollary to require an emergency operation) is less than 2%-5%. In fact, the old rationale for elective surgery as a preventive treatment, based mainly on concerns that recurrence would result in a progressively increased risk of sepsis or the need for a colostomy, is not upheld by the current evidence.

Predictive value of the Diverticular Inflammation and Complication Assessment (DICA) endoscopic classification on the outcome of diverticular disease of the colon: An international study

BACKGROUND

Diverticular Inflammation and Complication Assessment (DICA) endoscopic classification has been recently developed for patients suffering from diverticulosis and diverticular disease.

AIMS

We assessed retrospectively the predictive value of DICA in patients for whom endoscopic data and clinical follow-up were available.

METHODS

For each patient, we recorded: age, severity of DICA, presence of abdominal pain, C-reactive protein and faecal calprotectin test (if available) at the time of diagnosis; months of follow-up; therapy taken during the follow-up to maintain remission (if any); occurrence/recurrence of diverticulitis; need of surgery.

RESULTS

We enrolled 1651 patients (793 M, 858 F, mean age 66.6 ± 11.1 years): 939 (56.9%) patients were classified as DICA 1, 501 (30.3%) patients as DICA 2 and 211 (12.8%) patients as DICA 3. The median follow-up was 24 (9-38) months. Acute diverticulitis (AD) occurred/recurred in 263 (15.9%) patients; surgery was necessary in 57 (21.7%) cases. DICA was the only factor significantly associated to the occurrence/recurrence of diverticulitis and surgery either at univariate (χ(2 )= 405.029; p < 0.0001) or multivariate analysis (hazard ratio = 4.319, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.639-5.126; p < 0.0001). Only in DICA 2 patients was therapy effective for prevention of AD occurrence/recurrence with a hazard ratio (95% CI) of 0.598 (0.391-0.914) (p = 0.006, log rank test). Mesalazine-based therapies reduced the risk of AD occurrence/recurrence and needs of surgery with a hazard ratio (95% CI) of 0.2103 (0.122-0.364) and 0.459 (0.258-0.818), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

DICA classification is a valid parameter to predict the risk of diverticulitis occurrence/recurrence in patients suffering from diverticular disease of the colon.

Short-term Intravenous Antibiotic Treatment in Uncomplicated Diverticulitis Does Not Increase the Risk of Recurrence Compared to Long-term Treatment

PURPOSE

This study included all patients treated at the University Hospital of Geneva for a first episode of uncomplicated diverticulitis. Risks of recurrence and treatment failure were evaluated by comparing the results between short-course and long-course intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy groups.

METHODS

The records of all patients hospitalized at our facility from January 2007 to February 2012 for a first episode of uncomplicated diverticulitis (Hinchey Ia), as confirmed by computed tomography, were prospectively collected. We published an auxiliary analysis from this registered study at Clinicaltrials.gov (identifier number: NCT01015378). Two groups of patients were considered: one received a short-course IV antibiotic arm (ceftriaxone and metronidazole) for up to 5 days (followed by 5 days of oral antibiotics); the other received a long-course IV arm between days 5 and 10. The primary outcome was the recurrence-free survival time.

RESULTS

Follow-up was completed for 256 patients-50% men and 50% women, with a median age of 56 years (range, 24-85 years). The average follow-up was 50 months (range, 19-89 months). Of the 256 patients included in the study, 46 patients received a short-course IV antibiotic treatment and 210 received a long-course treatment. The recurrence-free survivals were very similar between the two groups, which was supported by a log rank test (P = 0.772). Four treatment failures, all in the long-course IV antibiotic treatment group, occurred.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of diverticulitis with a short IV antibiotic treatment is possible and does not modify the recurrence rate in patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis.

Assessment of risk for recurrent diverticulitis: a proposal of risk score for complicated recurrence

Recurrence of acute diverticulitis is common, and--especially complicated recurrence--causes significant morbidity. To prevent recurrence, selected patients have been offered prophylactic sigmoid resection. However, as there is no tool to predict whose diverticulitis will recur and, in particular, who will have complicated recurrence, the indications for sigmoid resections have been variable. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors predicting recurrence of acute diverticulitis. This is a retrospective cohort study of patients presenting with computed tomography-confirmed acute diverticulitis and treated nonresectionally during 2006 to 2010. Risk factors for recurrence were identified using uni- and multivariate Cox regression. A total of 512 patients were included. History of diverticulitis was an independent risk factor predicting uncomplicated recurrence of diverticulitis (1-2 earlier diverticulitis HR 1.6, 3 or more--HR 3.2). History of diverticulitis (HR 3.3), abscess (HR 6.2), and corticosteroid medication (HR 16.1) were independent risk factors for complicated recurrence. Based on regression coefficients, risk scoring was created: 1 point for history of diverticulitis, 2 points for abscess, and 3 points for corticosteroid medication. The risk score was unable to predict uncomplicated recurrence (AUC 0.48), but was able to predict complicated recurrence (AUC 0.80). Patients were further divided into low-risk (0-2 points) and high-risk (>2 points) groups. Low-risk and high-risk groups had 3% and 43% 5-year complicated recurrence rates, respectively. Risk for complicated recurrence of acute diverticulitis can be assessed using risk scoring. The risk for uncomplicated recurrence increases along with increasing number of previous diverticulitis.

Management of acute diverticulitis and its complications

Colonic diverticular disease is a common condition, and around a quarter of people affected by it will experience acute symptoms at some time. The most common presentation is uncomplicated acute diverticulitis that can be managed conservatively with bowel rest and antibiotics. However, some patients will present with diverticular abscesses or purulent or faeculent peritonitis due to perforated diverticular disease. Whilst most mesocolic abscesses can be managed with percutaneous drainage alone, pelvic abscesses are associated with a higher rate of future complications and usually require percutaneous drainage followed by interval sigmoid resection. Patients who require emergency surgery for complicated acute diverticulitis most commonly undergo a Hartmann's procedure, although resection with primary anastomosis and laparoscopic peritoneal lavage have emerged as alternative treatment options for patients with purulent peritonitis in recent years. However, robust evidence from randomized trials is lacking for these alternative procedures, and the studies that have reported good outcomes from them have included carefully selected patient groups. There has been a move away from recommending elective prophylactic colectomy after two episodes of acute diverticulitis in the light of evidence that most patients will not experience a significant recurrence of their symptoms; elective surgery is indicated for those with ongoing symptoms, pelvic abscesses, complications-such as fistulating disease, strictures or recurrent diverticular bleeding-and those who are at high risk of perforation during future episodes, for example, due to immunosuppression, chronic renal failure or collagen-vascular diseases.

Review article: The pathogenesis and management of acute colonic diverticulitis

BACKGROUND

Acute diverticulitis, defined as acute inflammation associated with a colonic diverticulum, is a common emergency presentation managed by both surgeons and physicians. There have been advances in both the medical and the surgical treatments offered to patients in recent years.

AIM

To review the current understanding of the aetiology and treatment of acute diverticulitis.

METHODS

A search of PubMed and Medline databases was performed to identify articles relevant to the aetiology, pathogenesis and management of acute diverticulitis.

RESULTS

There are 75 hospital admissions per year for acute diverticulitis per 100,000 of the population in the United States. Recent reports suggest a 26% increase in admissions over a 7-year period. Factors predisposing to the development of acute diverticulitis include obesity, smoking, diet, lack of physical activity and medication use such as aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The condition is associated with a low mortality of about 1% following medical therapy, rising to 4% in-hospital mortality in those requiring surgery. There is limited evidence on the efficacy of individual antibiotic regimens, and antibiotic treatment may not be required in all patients. The rates of recurrence reported for patients with acute diverticulitis following medical management vary from 13% to 36%. The surgical management of those patients who fail medical treatment has moved towards a laparoscopic nonresectional approach; however, the evidence supporting this is limited.

CONCLUSIONS

Further high-quality randomised controlled trials are required of both medical and surgical treatments in patients with acute diverticulitis, if management is to be evidence-based.