Risk of a post-colonoscopy colorectal cancer in patients with diverticular disease: a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Post-colonoscopy colorectal cancers (PCCRCs) may account for up to 30% of all colorectal cancers (CRCs) diagnosed in patients with diverticular disease; however, absolute and relative risks of PCCRC among these patients undergoing colonoscopy remain unknown. METHODS: We performed a cohort study (1995-2015) including patients with and without diverticular disease who underwent colonoscopy. We calculated 7-36-month cumulative incidence proportions (CIPs) of PCCRC. We used Cox proportional hazards regression models to compute hazard ratios (HRs) of PCCRC, comparing patients with and without diverticular disease, as a measure of relative risk. We calculated 3-year PCCRC rates, as per World Endoscopy Organization recommendations, to estimate the proportion of CRC patients with and without diverticular disease who were considered to have PCCRC. We stratified all analyses by PCCRC location. RESULTS: We observed 373 PCCRCs among 56 642 patients with diverticular disease and 1536 PCCRCs among 306 800 patients without diverticular disease. The PCCRC CIP after first-time colonoscopy was 0.45% (95%CI 0.40%-0.51%) for patients with and 0.36% (95%CI 0.34%-0.38%) for patients without diverticular disease. Comparing patients with and without diverticular disease undergoing first-time colonoscopy, the adjusted HR was 0.84 (95%CI 0.73-0.97) for PCCRC and 1.23 (95%CI 1.01-1.50) for proximal PCCRCs. The 3-year PCCRC rate was 19.0% (22.3% for proximal PCCRCs) for patients with and 6.5% for patients without diverticular disease. CONCLUSIONS: Although the absolute risk was low, the relative risk of proximal PCCRCs may be elevated in patients with diverticular disease undergoing colonoscopy compared with patients without the disease.

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 ).

Is there a link between appendicitis and the risk of diverticular disease?: a large German cohort study.

PURPOSE: Appendicitis, characterized by inflammation of the vermiform appendix, is a common abdominal emergency necessitating appendectomy. Recent evidence suggests a potential link between appendicitis and subsequent diverticular disease, yet population-based studies investigating this association are limited. METHODS: Utilizing the Disease Analyzer database encompassing data from over 1000 primary care practices in Germany, we conducted a retrospective cohort study. We included 25,379 adults diagnosed with appendicitis and an equal number of matched controls without appendicitis. The incidence of diverticular disease over a 10-year follow-up period was compared between the two cohorts. Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the association between appendicitis and diverticular disease, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Our findings revealed a significant association between appendicitis and subsequent diverticular disease (HR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.57-1.97), with an increased risk observed across all age groups. Notably, this association was stronger in men (HR: 2.00; 95% CI: 1.68-2.37) than in women (HR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.36-1.84). The cumulative 10-year incidence of diverticular disease was higher in patients with appendicitis (6.5%) compared to those without (3.6%). Additionally, we observed a clear age-dependent increase in the incidence of diverticular disease. CONCLUSION: This large-scale population-based study provides valuable insights into the interaction between appendicitis and diverticular disease. The study underscores the need for further research elucidating the underlying mechanisms linking appendicitis to diverticular disease. Probiotics emerge as a potential therapeutic avenue warranting exploration in the management of both conditions. These findings have important implications for clinical practice, highlighting the importance of considering appendicitis as a potential risk factor for diverticular disease, particularly in men. Further investigation is warranted to validate these findings and explore potential therapeutic interventions targeting the shared pathophysiological pathways underlying both conditions.

Outcomes and recurrent bleeding risks of detachable snare and band ligation for colonic diverticular bleeding: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Ligation therapy, including endoscopic detachable snare ligation (EDSL) and endoscopic band ligation (EBL), has emerged as an endoscopic treatment for colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB); its comparative effectiveness and risk of recurrent bleeding remain unclear, however. Our goal was to compare the outcomes of EDSL and EBL in treating CDB and identify risk factors for recurrent bleeding after ligation therapy. METHODS: We reviewed data of 518 patients with CDB who underwent EDSL (n = 77) or EBL (n = 441) in a multicenter cohort study named the Colonic Diverticular Bleeding Leaders Update Evidence From Multicenter Japanese Study (CODE BLUE-J Study). Outcomes were compared by using propensity score matching. Logistic and Cox regression analyses were performed for recurrent bleeding risk, and a competing risk analysis was used to treat death without recurrent bleeding as a competing risk. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the 2 groups in terms of initial hemostasis, 30-day recurrent bleeding, interventional radiology or surgery requirements, 30-day mortality, blood transfusion volume, length of hospital stay, and adverse events. Sigmoid colon involvement was an independent risk factor for 30-day recurrent bleeding (odds ratio, 1.87; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-3.40; P = .042). History of acute lower GI bleeding (ALGIB) was a significant long-term recurrent bleeding risk factor on Cox regression analysis. A performance status score of 3/4 and history of ALGIB were long-term recurrent bleeding factors on competing risk regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in outcomes between EDSL and EBL for CDB. After ligation therapy, careful follow-up is required, especially in the treatment of sigmoid diverticular bleeding during admission. History of ALGIB and performance status at admission are important risk factors for long-term recurrent bleeding after discharge.

Diverticulosis is not associated with altered gut microbiota nor is it predictive of future diverticulitis: a population-based colonoscopy study.

BACKGROUND: The etiopathogenesis of diverticular disease is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To compare the fecal and mucosa-associated microbiota between participants with and without diverticulosis and participants who later developed diverticulitis versus those that did not from a population-based study. METHODS: The PopCol study, conducted in Stockholm, Sweden, invited a random sample of 3556 adults to participate, of which 745 underwent colonoscopy. Overall, 130 participants (17.5%) had diverticulosis. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was conducted on available sigmoid biopsy samples from 529 and fecal samples from 251 individuals. We identified individuals who subsequently developed acute diverticulitis up to 13 years after sample collection. In a case-control design matching for gender, age (+/-5 years), smoking and antibiotic exposure, we compared taxonomic composition, richness and diversity of the microbiota between participants with or without diverticulosis, and between participants who later developed acute diverticulitis versus those who did not. RESULTS: No differences in microbiota richness or diversity were observed between participants with or without diverticulosis, nor for those who developed diverticulitis compared with those who did not. No bacterial taxa were significantly different between participants with diverticulosis compared with those without diverticulosis. Individuals who later developed acute diverticulitis (2.8%) had a higher abundance of genus Comamonas than those who did not (p = .027). CONCLUSIONS: In a population-based cohort study the only significant difference was that those who later develop diverticulitis had more abundance of genus Comamonas. The significance of Comamonas is unclear, suggesting a limited role for the gut microbiota in the etiopathogenesis of diverticular disease.

Eubiotic effect of rifaximin is associated with decreasing abdominal pain in symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease: results from an observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Rifaximin effectively treats symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) and has shown eubiotic potential (i.e., an increase in resident microbial elements with potential beneficial effects) in other diseases. This study investigated changes in the fecal microbiome of patients with SUDD after repeated monthly treatment with rifaximin and the association of these changes with the severity of abdominal pain. METHODS: This was a single-center, prospective, observational, uncontrolled cohort study. Patients received rifaximin 400 mg twice a day for 7 days per month for 6 months. Abdominal pain (assessed on a 4-point scale from 0 [no pain] to 3 [severe pain]) and fecal microbiome (assessed using 16 S rRNA gene sequencing) were assessed at inclusion (baseline) and 3 and 6 months. The Spearman's rank test analyzed the relationship between changes in the gut microbiome and the severity of abdominal pain. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 23 patients enrolled, 12 patients completed the study and were included in the analysis. Baseline abdominal pain levels decreased significantly after 3 (p = 0.036) and 6 (p = 0.008) months of treatment with rifaximin. The abundance of Akkermansia in the fecal microbiome was significantly higher at 3 (p = 0.017) and 6 (p = 0.015) months versus baseline. The abundance of Ruminococcaceae (p = 0.034), Veillonellaceae (p = 0.028), and Dialister (p = 0.036) were significantly increased at 6 months versus baseline, whereas Anaerostipes (p = 0.049) was significantly decreased. The severity of abdominal pain was negatively correlated with the abundance of Akkermansia (r=-0.482; p = 0.003) and Ruminococcaceae (r=-0.371; p = 0.026) but not with Veillonellaceae, Dialister, or Anaerostipes. After 3 months of rifaximin, abdominal pain was significantly less in patients with Akkermansia in their fecal microbiome than in patients without Akkermansia (p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: The eubiotic effect of rifaximin was associated with decreased abdominal pain in patients with SUDD.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Physical Fitness Among Subjects with Asymptomatic Colonic Diverticulosis.

BACKGROUND: The association between diverticular disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) has been demonstrated previously, mainly in symptomatic subjects. AIMS: To evaluate 10 years cardiovascular risk, exercise performance and association to ASCVD among subjects with asymptomatic diverticulosis. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional cohort of self-referred participants in a medical screening program, who underwent a screening colonoscopy. Demographics, clinical and laboratory variables, ASCVD score, and metabolic equivalents (METs) during treadmill stress test were compared between subjects with and without diverticulosis as diagnosed on screening colonoscopy. RESULTS: 4586 participants underwent screening colonoscopy; 799 (17.4%) had diverticulosis. Among 50-69 yo participants, diverticulosis subjects had a higher ASCVD score compared to non-diverticulosis subjects. Exercise performance was comparable between the groups, across all age groups. Using logistic regression analysis, advanced age group (50-59 yo Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] 2.57 (1.52-4.34), p < 0.001; 60-69 yo, AOR 2.87 (2.09-3.95), p < 0.001; ≥ 70 yo AOR 4.81 (3.23-7.15), p < 0.001; compared to < 50 yo age group), smoking [AOR 1.27 (1.05-1.55), p = 0.016], HTN [AOR 1.27 (1.03-1.56), p = 0.022], obesity [AOR 1.36 (1.06-1.74), p = 0.014] and male sex [AOR 1.29 (1.02-1.64), p = 0.036] were associated with diverticular detection during screening colonoscopy. Among males, achieving METs score ≥ 10 was inversely associated with diverticular detection during screening colonoscopy [AOR 0.64 (0.43-0.95), p = 0.027]. CONCLUSIONS: Ten years probability for ASCVD estimated by the ASCVD score is higher among subjects with asymptomatic diverticulosis compared to subjects without diverticulosis. Improved exercise performance is demonstrated for the first time to correlate with decreased probability for diverticular disease in screening colonoscopy.

Venous thromboembolism following colectomy for diverticular disease: an English population-based cohort study.

AIM: This study reports venous thromboembolism (VTE) rates following colectomy for diverticular disease to explore the magnitude of postoperative VTE risk in this population and identify high risk subgroups of interest. METHOD: English national cohort study of colectomy patients between 2000 and 2019 using linked primary (Clinical Practice Research Datalink) and secondary (Hospital Episode Statistics) care data. Stratified by admission type, absolute incidence rates (IR) per 1000 person-years and adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRR) were calculated for 30- and 90-day post-colectomy VTE. RESULTS: Of 24,394 patients who underwent colectomy for diverticular disease, over half (57.39%) were emergency procedures with the highest VTE rate seen in patients ≥70-years-old (IR 142.27 per 1000 person-years, 95%CI 118.32-171.08) at 30 days post colectomy. Emergency resections (IR 135.18 per 1000 person-years, 95%CI 115.72-157.91) had double the risk (aIRR 2.07, 95%CI 1.47-2.90) of developing a VTE at 30 days following colectomy compared to elective resections (IR 51.14 per 1000 person-years, 95%CI 38.30-68.27). Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) was shown to be associated with a 64% reduction in VTE risk (aIRR 0.36 95%CI 0.20-0.65) compared to open colectomies at 30 days post-op. At 90 days following emergency resections, VTE risks remained raised compared to elective colectomies. CONCLUSION: Following emergency colectomy for diverticular disease, the VTE risk is approximately double compared to elective resections at 30 days while MIS was found to be associated with a reduced risk of VTE. This suggests advancements in postoperative VTE prevention in diverticular disease patients should focus on those undergoing emergency colectomies.

Bowel perforation associated with Cushing's disease: a case report with literature review.

Although rare, endogenous hypercortisolemia, including Cushing's disease (CD), is known to cause bowel perforation and to mask typical symptoms of bowel perforation, leading to delayed diagnosis. Additionally, elderly patients with CD are considered to be at a higher risk for bowel perforation because intestinal tissue fragility tends to increase in the elderly. Herein, we describe a rare case in which a young adult patient with CD was diagnosed with bowel perforation associated with CD following severe abdominal pain. A 24-year-old Japanese man was admitted to the hospital for the evaluation of ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome. He suddenly complained of severe abdominal pain on the 8th day of hospitalization. Computed tomography revealed free air around the sigmoid colon. The patient was diagnosed with bowel perforation, underwent emergency surgery, and was saved. He was subsequently diagnosed with CD, and the pituitary adenoma was resected transsphenoidally. To date, eight cases of bowel perforation due to CD had been reported, with a median age of 61 years at the time of bowel perforation. Hypokalemia was detected in half of the patients, and all had a history of diverticular disease. Nevertheless, not many patients complained of peritoneal irritation. In conclusion, this is the youngest reported case with bowel perforation due to CD and the first report of bowel perforation in a patient without a history of diverticular disease. Bowel perforation may occur in patients with CD, irrespective of age and the presence of hypokalemia, diverticular disease, or peritoneal irritation.

Diverticular disease, diverticulitis and the impact on continence.

Diverticulosis and the subsequent progression to diverticular disease and diverticulitis is becoming more prevalent in western countries. The cause for this progression is not known. Diverticulitis is a significant health burden - both financially to healthcare systems, and to the patients it affects in terms of morbidity. There is a dearth of research pertaining to diverticulitis and its impact on continence. This article examines the parallels between irritable bowel syndrome and diverticular disease, which have many symptom similarities, the overlap between the conditions, and the impact on continence. Current studies regarding the role of fibre in managing diverticular disease are also discussed.

[Reversal of Hartmann's procedure in patients with diverticular disease]. / Rekonstruktivno-vosstanovitel'nye vmeshatel'stva posle operatsii Gartmana u patsientov s divertikulyarnoi bolezn'yu.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze intraoperative and early postoperative results of open and laparoscopic reversal of Hartmann's (HR) procedure in patients with diverticular disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective non-randomized study included 31 patients with complicated form of diverticular disease between 2018 and 2022. Patients underwent reversal of Hartmann's procedure (laparoscopic surgery - 19, laparotomy - 12). RESULTS: Mean time of laparoscopy and open surgery was 202±36.7 and 223±41 min, respectively. There were no intraoperative complications in both groups and conversions of laparoscopic reversal of Hartmann's procedure. No preventive stoma was required. Mean postoperative hospital-stay was 7.6±3.2 and 9.5±4.6 days, respectively. Overall incidence of postoperative complications was 32.2% (n=10), i.e. 4 (21%) and 6 (50%) patients in both groups, respectively. Anastomotic leakage occurred in one patient after open surgery. CONCLUSION: In our sample, incidence of complications was low after reversal of Hartmann's procedure in patients with complicated diverticular disease. There was 1 (3.2%) patient with anastomotic leakage, and no temporary stoma was formed. In patients who underwent laparoscopic Hartmann's procedure at the first stage and selected patients after open surgeries, laparoscopic reversal procedures were accompanied by no conversions. There were favorable results typical for minimally invasive surgery. Selection criteria for laparoscopic access are discussable. Large-scale studies including randomized trials are needed to verify selection criteria for minimally invasive reversal of Hartmann's procedure and demonstrate its advantages over open surgery.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of robotic resections for diverticular disease.

AIM: Resection of diverticular disease can be technically challenging. Tissue planes can be difficult to identify intraoperatively due to inflammation or fibrosis. Robotic surgery may improve identification of tissue planes and dissection which can facilitate difficult minimally invasive resections. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the role of robotic surgery compared to laparoscopic surgery in diverticular resection. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed in accordance with the PRISMA statement. The search was completed using PubMed, OVID MEDLINE and EMBASE. A total of 490 articles were retrieved, and studies reporting primary outcomes for robotic diverticular resection were included in the final analysis. A meta-analysis of studies comparing robotic and laparoscopic surgery was performed on rate of conversion to open surgery and complications. RESULTS: Fifteen articles (8 cohort studies and 7 case series) reporting 3711 robotic diverticular resections were analysed. In comparison to laparoscopic, robotic surgery for diverticular disease was associated with a reduced conversion to open and a longer operating time. Meta-analysis showed robotic resection was associated with a lower conversion rate compared to laparoscopic surgery (OR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.49-0.66, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in grade III and above complications (OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.49-1.13, p = 0.17). Operating time was longer with a robotic approach (Hedge's G: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.04-0.81, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Robotic resection is a feasible and safe option in diverticular disease. Although associated with a longer operating time, robotic surgery may render diverticular disease resectable with a minimally invasive approach that would have otherwise necessitated a laparotomy. Randomised controlled data is required to better define the role of robotic surgery for diverticular disease resections.

Early elective versus elective sigmoid resection in diverticular disease: not only timing matters-a single institutional retrospective review of 133 patients.

PURPOSE: The optimal timing of elective surgery in patients with the colonic diverticular disease remains controversial. We aimed to analyze the timing of sigmoidectomy in patients with diverticular disease and its influence on postoperative course with respect to the classification of diverticular disease (CDD). METHODS: Patients who underwent elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy were retrospectively enrolled and subdivided into two groups based on the time interval between the last attack and surgery: group A, early elective (≤ 6 weeks), and group B, elective (> 6 weeks). Multivariate regression models were used to identify factors which predict conversion to laparotomy, postoperative course, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: A total of 133 patients (group A (n = 88), group B (n = 45)) were included. Basic demographic data did not differ between groups except for a higher rate of diabetes in group B (p = 0.009). The conversion rate was significantly higher in group A in comparison to group B (group A vs. group B: n = 23 (26.1%) vs. n = 3 (6.7%), p = 0.007). Logistic regression analysis revealed the timing of surgery and CDD stage as significant predictors for intraoperative conversion. Moreover, the postoperative course was influenced by high age as well as intraoperative conversion and length of hospital stay by conversion, preoperative CRP levels, and elective surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Both, timing of surgery and the disease stage, influence the conversion rates in laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for diverticular disease. Accordingly, patients with complicated acute or chronic sigmoid diverticulitis should be operated in the inflammation-free interval.

Diverticular Disease: Rapid Evidence Review.

Diverticulitis should be suspected in patients with isolated left lower quadrant pain, abdominal distention or rigidity, fever, and leukocytosis. Initial laboratory workup includes a complete blood count, basic metabolic panel, urinalysis, and C-reactive protein measurement. Computed tomography with intravenous contrast is the preferred imaging modality, if needed to confirm diagnosis and assess for complications of diverticulitis. Treatment decisions are based on the categorization of disease as complicated vs. uncomplicated. Selected patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis may be treated without antibiotics. Complicated diverticulitis is treated in the hospital with modified diet or bowel rest, antibiotics, and pain control. Abscesses that are 3 cm or larger should be treated with percutaneous drainage. Emergent surgery is reserved for when percutaneous drainage fails or the patient's clinical condition worsens despite adequate therapy. Colonoscopy should not be performed during the flare-up, but should be considered six weeks after resolution of symptoms in patients with complicated diverticulitis who have not had a high-quality colonoscopy in the past year. Diverticulitis prevention measures include consuming a vegetarian diet or high-quality diet (high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes), limiting red meat and sweets, achieving or maintaining a body mass index of 18 to 25 kg per m2, being physically active, and avoiding tobacco and long-term nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Partial colectomy is not routinely recommended for diverticulitis prevention and should be reserved for patients with more than three recurrences or abscess formation requiring percutaneous drainage.

Inferior vena cava diameter on CT angiography predicts mesenteric angiography positive for extravasation in colonic diverticular bleeding.

PURPOSE: Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB), an established procedure for hemostasis, is sometimes complicated by spontaneous hemostasis and unclear bleeding site on angiography despite active arterial bleeding on preoperative computed tomography angiography (CTA). Therefore, to investigate and increase the feasibility of TAE, this retrospective study evaluates the clinical and radiological features related to positive extravasation on angiography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty CDB patients with extravasation on CTA underwent TAE between January 2011 and February 2021 and were divided into extravasation-positive (P-group; n = 25) and -negative groups (N-group; n = 35) based on the superior or inferior mesenteric angiography. Patient characteristics, laboratory findings, the diameter of the inferior vena cava (IVCD), the diameter of superior and inferior mesenteric veins, and technical outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: TAE was successful in 24 patients in the P-group (96%) and 14 in the N-group (40%) (p < 0.001). Univariate analysis revealed "usage of anticoagulant" (p < 0.05) and "larger IVCD (p < 0.05) on preoperative CTA" to be significant predictors of positive extravasation. In the multivariate analysis, IVCD remained significant with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.17. The IVCD cutoff value was 13.6 mm (area under the curve = 0.72, sensitivity = 84.0%, specificity = 54.3%). There were no significant differences in other parameters. CONCLUSION: Measurement of IVCD in CDB with the cutoff value of 13.6 mm can be a simple and useful indicator to predict the detectability of extravasation following TAE procedures.

Colonic diverticular disease in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: is there really an association? A nationwide analysis.

PURPOSE: Colonic diverticulosis, diverticulitis, and diverticular bleeding are reportedly more common in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Other studies have questioned this association. The objectives of our study are to clarify this association using a larger patient population and to identify risk factors in general to develop diverticular disease. METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample weighted discharges from 2003 to 2011 were used to assess for the prevalence of diverticular disease in the population with ADPKD compared with the general population without ADPKD. A multivariable direct logistic regression model was constructed to determine independent predictors of diverticular disease in the general population. RESULTS: The prevalence of diverticulosis, diverticulitis, and diverticular bleeding were considerably increased in patients with ADPKD compared with the general population without ADPKD. The prevalence of colonic surgery was less in ADPKD patients with diverticulitis. In patients with kidney transplant, the prevalence of diverticulitis was increased in the ADPKD group, but colonic surgery was not significantly different between both groups. The prevalence of diverticular bleeding was slightly elevated in patients with ADPKD, but colonic surgery was significantly increased in patients with ADPKD. NSAID use, hypertension, constipation, and ADPKD had increased odds ratios for diverticular disease during multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: There is an increased prevalence of colonic diverticular disease in the population with ADPKD.

Elective surgery should be considered after successful conservative treatment of recurrent diverticular abscesses.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the disease pattern and treatment of diverticular abscesses.Methods: Patients treated for diverticulitis (K57) in Västmanland, Sweden were identified for this retrospective population-based study between January 2010 and December 2014. Patients with diverticular abscesses were included. The clinical and radiological data were extracted, and the computed tomography scans were reevaluated.Results: Of the 75 patients (45 women) with a median age of 62 years (range: 23-88 years), abscesses were localized pericolic in 42 patients (59%) and in the pelvis in 33 patients (41%). The median abscess size was 4.8 cm (range: 1.1-11.0 cm). Six patients (8%) required urgent surgical intervention during the index admission. The median follow-up time was 58 months (range: 0-95 months). During follow-up, 40 patients (58%) had disease recurrence and 35 of these patients (88%) presented with complicated diverticulitis. The median time until re-admission was 2 months (range: 3 days-94 months). Patients with pelvic abscesses developed fistulas more frequently, 3 versus 11 patients (p = .003). Twenty-three percent of patients with pericolic abscesses required surgery compared with 40% of patients with pelvic abscesses (p = .09). No patients had a recurrence of abscesses after a colonic resection.Conclusion: The majority of patients with diverticular abscesses had recurrences with repeated admissions regardless of abscess location. An unexpectedly high proportion of patients required surgical intervention during the follow-up period. A liberal approach regarding elective surgery for patients with recurrent diverticulitis abscesses who tolerate surgery seems justified.

Disease phenotype rather than treatment strategy impacts the long-term quality of life in patients with diverticular disease.

PURPOSE: To identify the impact of the severity of diverticular disease on long-term quality of life. METHODS: Consecutive patients, hospitalized between October 2009 and November 2015 due to uncomplicated (UD) and complicated diverticulitis (CD) of the left colon, were analyzed. Patients undergoing emergent surgery for perforated disease were excluded. Primary endpoint was health-related quality of life (HrQol), measured by the Short Form 36 questionnaire (SF-36). Physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) compository scores were calculated from SF-36 subscales. To overcome bias, one-to-one propensity score matching and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: Two hundred eighty of the overall 392 patients (Male 138, Female 142; mean age 60.5 years, range 27-91) answered the SF-36 questionnaire. The median follow-up period was 37.8 months (range 15-85). After propensity score matching, each group consisted of 51 patients. Results of the SF-36 questionnaires showed a statistically significant difference, favoring patients with CD in 5 of 8 domains. Also, PCS (56.3 vs. 52.9, p = 0.13) and MCS (53.3 vs. 46.7, p = 0.005) were higher in patients treated for CD. By a multivariate analysis, complicated disease was independently associated with a better scoring on 6 out of 8 SF-36 subscales and on MCS. Treatment strategy (surgery or conservative) did not have any impact on SF-36 subscales, MCS, or PCS on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: In contrast to complicated disease, the uncomplicated diverticular disease is associated with an impaired long-term quality of life especially in domains composing mental health scores independently of chosen treatment strategy. STUDY REGISTRATION: The study is registered with the Research Registry at June 19, 2019. Research registry UIN: researchregistry4959 .

Contrast-enhanced CT for Colonic Diverticular Bleeding before Colonoscopy: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

Purpose To demonstrate the usefulness of precolonoscopy intravenous contrast material-enhanced CT for colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB). Materials and Methods A prospective, multicenter, observational study was performed. Patients with acute-onset hematochezia who were admitted to hospital were included, and those without CDB were excluded. CT was performed before colonoscopy. A Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test, and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed to determine the accuracy of CT before colonoscopy. Results A total of 442 patients (mean age, 71.2 years; 302 male patients; 68.3% men) were included between January 2014 and December 2015, and 202 patients were diagnosed as having CDB. The positive extravasation rate during CT was 50 of 202 (24.7%) among all patients and five of nine (55.6%) among patients who underwent CT within 1 hour of the last hematochezia. At multivariable analysis, the interval from the last hematochezia until CT was a predictor of extravasation (beta coefficient, -.0038 ± 0.0014 [standard deviation]). Extravasation at CT had a sensitivity of 38 of 66 (57.6%; 95% confidence interval: 44.8%, 69.7%) and a specificity of 124 of 136 (91.2%; 95% confidence interval: 85.1%, 95.4%) for the prediction of stigmata of recent hemorrhage of diverticula during colonoscopy. The sensitivity was higher in patients who underwent CT examination within 4 hours of hematochezia, compared with those examined after 4 hours (64.7% [33 of 51] vs 33.3% [five of 15]; P < .01). Conclusion Extravasation findings for CT with intravenous contrast material had high specificity for the prediction of stigmata of recent hemorrhage of diverticula during colonoscopy, regardless of the timing of the CT examination. Although the sensitivity was relatively low, it was higher when the CT examination was performed within 4 hours after the last hematochezia. Therefore, urgent precolonoscopy CT may contribute to decision making regarding whether an urgent colonoscopy should be performed.