The "DICA" endoscopic classification for diverticular disease of the colon shows a significant interobserver agreement among community endoscopists.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: An endoscopic classification of Diverticular Disease (DD), called DICA (Diverticular Inflammation and Complication Assessment) is currently available. It scores severity of the disease as DICA 1, DICA 2 and DICA 3. Our aim was to assess the agreement levels for this classification among an endoscopist community setting. METHODS: A total of 66 endoscopists independently scored a set of DD endoscopic videos. The percentages of overall agreement on the DICA score and a free-marginal multirater kappa (κ) coefficient were reported as statistical measures of the inter-rater agreement. RESULTS: The overall agreement levels were: 70.2% for DICA 1, 70.5% for DICA 2, 81.3% for DICA 3. The free marginal κ was: 0.553 for DICA 1, 0.558 for DICA 2, 0.719 for DICA 3. The agreement levels among the expert group were: 78.8% for DICA 1, 80.2% for DICA 2, 88.5% for DICA 3. The free marginal κ among the expert group were: 0.682 for DICA 1, 0.712 for DICA 2, 0.828 for DICA 3. The agreement of expert raters on the single item of the DICA classification was superior to the agreement of the overall group. CONCLUSIONS: The overall inter-rater agreement for DICA score in this study ranges from moderate to good, with a significant improvement in the expert subgroup of raters. Diverticular Inflammation and Complication Assessment is a simple and reproducible endoscopic scoring system.

Development and usefulness of the new endoscopic classification: DICA.

Colonic Diverticulosis is one of the most common anatomical findings during colonoscopy. This condition has 60% incidence in the population over 60 years old. About 20% of patients will develop Diverticular Disease, and 5% of them will evolve into Diverticulitis. Until the last years there weren't any approaches for the endoscopic classification of this pathology. In 2013, in Florence, the first endoscopic classification was developed: DICA (Diverticular Inflammation and Complication Assessment). The aim of this article is to focus on the process of the development and the validation of the classification by the pool of gastroenterology experts, and, as well, its usefulness during the clinical practice.

The CDD System in Computed Tomographic Diagnosis of Diverticular Disease.

Purpose This overview sums up the Classification of Diverticular Disease (CDD) with regard to its application in computed tomographic diagnosis and briefly recapitulates its targeted advantages over preliminary systems. Primarily, application of the CDD in computed tomography diagnostics is described. Differences with respect to the categories of the older systems are pointed out on the level of each CDD type using imaging examples. Materials and Methods The presented images are derived from our institute according to the S2k criteria. Literature was researched on PubMed. Results The CDD constitutes an improvement compared to older systems for categorizing the stages of diverticular disease. It provides more discriminatory power on the descriptive-morphological level and defines as well as differentiates more courses of the disease. Furthermore, the categories translate more directly into state-of-the-art decision-making concerning hospitalization and therapy. Conclusion The CDD should be applied routinely in the computed tomographic diagnosis of diverticular disease. Typical imaging patterns are presented. Key points · The CDD is superior to its predecessors. It better stratifies categories of diverticular disease by morphology, course and modern options for treatment of the disease.. · Computed tomography is the dominant imaging modality. Different stages show typical imaging patterns.. · Non-abscessed phlegmonous peridiverticulitis is now interpreted as an uncomplicated course.. · Minimal paracolic air does not constitute a full-fledged perforation in terms of a pneumoperitoneum (CDD type 2c).. Citation Format · Pustelnik D, Elsholtz FH, Bojarski C et al. The CDD System in Computed Tomographic Diagnosis of Diverticular Disease. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2017; 189: 740 - 747.

Prognostic Role of the Endoscopic Classification "DICA".

Diverticular inflammation and complication assessment (DICA) endoscopic classification has been recently developed for patients suffering from diverticulosis and diverticular disease. Its predictive value in those patients was recently retrospectively assessed. For each patient, the following parameters were recorded: age, severity of DICA, presence of abdominal pain, C-reactive protein, fecal 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, and need of surgery. A total of 1651 patients (793 male, 858 female, mean age 66.6±11.1 y) were enrolled: 939 (56.9%) classified as DICA 1, 501 (30.3%) as DICA 2, and 211 (12.8%) as DICA 3. The median follow-up was 24 (9 to 138) months. Acute diverticulitis (AD) occurred/recurred in 263 (15.9%) patients, and surgery was necessary in 57 (21.7%) cases. DICA was the only factor significantly associated with the occurrence/recurrence of diverticulitis and surgery either at univariate (χ=405.029; P<0.0001) or multivariate analysis (hazard ratio=4.319; 95% CI, 3.639-5.126; P<0.0001). Only in DICA 2 patients scheduled therapy was 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 need of surgery with a hazard ratio (95% CI) of 0.2103 (0.122-0.364) and 0.459 (0.258-0.818), respectively. DICA classification seems to be a valid parameter to predict the risk of diverticulitis occurrence/recurrence in patients suffering from diverticular disease of the colon.

Management of diverticular disease.

Diverticular disease is a common condition in Western countries and the incidence and prevalence of the disease is increasing. The pathogenetic factors involved include structural changes in the gut that increase with age, a diet low in fibre and rich in meat, changes in intestinal motility, the concept of enteric neuropathy and an underlying genetic background. Current treatment strategies are hampered by insufficient options to stratify patients according to individual risk. One of the main reasons is the lack of an all-encompassing classification system of diverticular disease. In response, the German Society for Gastroenterology and Digestive Diseases (DGVS) has proposed a classification system as part of its new guideline for the diagnosis and management of diverticular disease. The classification system includes five main types of disease: asymptomatic diverticulosis, acute uncomplicated and complicated diverticulitis, as well as chronic diverticular disease and diverticular bleeding. Here, we review prevention and treatment strategies stratified by these five main types of disease, from prevention of the first attack of diverticulitis to the management of chronic complications and diverticular bleeding.

S2k Guidlines for Diverticular Disease and Diverticulitis: Diagnosis, Classification, and Therapy for the Radiologist.

UNLABELLED: Diverticular disease and diverticulitis represent an increasingly common disease especially in patients with advanced age. The German Society of Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (DGVS) as well as the German Society of General and Visceral Surgery (DGAV) in collaboration with the German Radiology Society (DRG) created and published S2k guidelines regarding this topic. Knowledge of the diagnosis and therapy of this common disease is extremely important for the radiologist for the daily clinical routine. In this article we review and discuss the most important clinical situations and algorithms of this disease focusing on radiological topics. Additionally, we introduce the new CCD (classification of diverticular disease) system regarding radiology. KEY POINTS: For the diagnosis of a diverticular disease a sectional imaging method should be performed. First choice should be a "qualified ultrasound examination" followed by CT in uncertain situations or complicated disease. Disease classification should be done according the new CCD (Classification of diverticular disease) algorithm. Based on this new CCD patients can be stratified into outpatient, in-house patient and surgical treatment therapy.

[Diverticular disease - diagnosis and classification]. / Divertikelkrankheit - Diagnostik und Klassifikation.

A reliable diagnosis is fundamental for operative, interventional and conservative treatment of the different facets of diverticular disease. Not only differential diagnoses but also overlap or coincidence with other entities sharing similar symptoms must be considered. Furthermore, an adequate surgical strategy and correct stratification of complications is mandatory. Subsequently, in the light of currently validated diagnostic techniques, the consensus conference of the German Societies of Gastroenterology (DGVS) and Visceral Surgery (DGAV) has released a new classification of diverticulitis displaying the different facets of diverticular disease. This classification also comprises symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD), largely resembling irritable bowel syndrome, as well as diverticular bleeding. While detailed history, physical examination and laboratory testing are of great importance for exploring a patient with diverticular disease, they are not sufficient to diagnose (or stratify) diverticulitis without cross-sectional imaging using ultrasonography (US) or computed tomography (CT). The diagnostic value of qualified US is equipotent to qualified CT, complies with relevant legislation for radiation exposure protection and is frequently effective for diagnosis. Therefore, US is considered to be the first choice for imaging in diverticular disease. In contrast, CT has definite indications in unclear, discrepant situations or insufficient US performance. Strengths and weaknesses of both methods are discussed. Endoscopy is not required for the diagnosis of diverticulitis and should not be performed in an acute attack. Colonoscopy, however, is warranted after healing of diverticulitis, prior to elective surgery and in cases of an atypical course. Prior exclusion of perforation is considered mandatory. An unequivocal indication for colonoscopy is diverticular bleeding and the rapid performance (within 12-24 h) allows better identification of sites of bleeding and endoscopic interventions.

[Colonic diverticulosis and its complications: pathogenesis, classification and clinical implications]. / Die Kolondivertikulose und ihre Komplikationen: Pathogenese, Klassifikation und Klinische Implikationen.

Current understanding of the pathogenesis of colonic diverticulosis and its complications has certain implications for current therapy concepts, which are summarised here. Colonic diverticula in the Western world are pseudodiverticula predominating in the sigmoid colon. Pathogenesis is multifactorial and includes low-fibre diet, dysmotility, increased intraluminal pressure and morphological changes. Uncomplicated diverticulitis results from microperforations, contradicting the hypothesis of the "abscessed diverticulum". Administration of antibiotics for treatment is controversial. Complicated sigmoid diverticulitis is characterised by an intensive inflammatory infiltrate with macrophages. Immunosuppression and especially steroid intake are identified as risk factors. Nowadays, elective or emergency resection is generally recommended as therapy of first choice. However, contrary concepts with merely conservative treatment or drainage--even for perforated diverticulitis--are emerging. The pathogenesis of chronically recurrent diverticulitis is poorly understood and concepts are changing. Resection after the second episode is replaced by a risk-adapted strategy. Diverticular bleeding occurs due to rupture of a vas rectum at the fundus of the diverticulum. Conservative and endoscopic management is the first line and surgical resection plays a role as salvage-strategy in case of recurrent and life-threatening bleeding. Localising the bleeding, i.e., with angiography, is crucial prior to surgery. The pathophysiology of colonic diverticulosis is complex and incompletely understood and linked with several controversial issues, regarding treatment strategies.

[How threatening is a diverticulitis: what do we know about the long-term course?]. / Wie bedrohlich ist eine Divertikulitis: Was wissen wir über den Langzeitverlauf?

In the context of the controversy regarding the appropriate management of colon diverticulitis without generalised peritonitis - conservative or operative - a review of the literature was per-formed. The progress in diagnostic and therapeutic measures has led to a change in the therapeutic approach during the last 10 years. Because of the lack of randomised controlled trials in patients with diverticulitis (without generalised -peritonitis) comparing medical and surgical treatments, there are still several unanswered questions, such as whether and when to operate and what the recurrence rate is, especially after medical treatment. The therapeutic management should be oriented to the individual symptoms, the comorbidity and the age of the patients.

Assessment and grading of mucosal inflammation in colonic diverticular disease.

GOAL: The aim of this study was to assess and grade the mucosal inflammatory infiltrate in different degrees of diverticular disease (DD) and to compare them with healthy matched controls. BACKGROUND: Mucosal inflammation in colonic DD has never been investigated. In particular, it is unknown whether inflammation may be found in every degree of DD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty consecutive patients with a new endoscopic diagnosis of DD (10 with asymptomatic diverticulosis, 10 with symptomatic uncomplicated DD, and 10 with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis) and 10 healthy controls were studied. RESULTS: A neutrophilic inflammatory infiltrate was found only in acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (overall score, 26). The mean lymphocytic cell density was significantly higher in symptomatic DD (median lymphocytic density, 7) and acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (median lymphocytic density, 11). Subdividing the patients according to different degrees of DD, we found higher lymphocytic cell density even in asymptomatic diverticulosis (median lymphocytic density, 6.5) than healthy controls (median lymphocytic density, 4; P<0.02). CONCLUSIONS: We found an increased inflammatory infiltrate in DD according to the degree of the disease and higher than healthy controls. Moreover, also asymptomatic diverticulosis shows higher inflammatory cell density than controls.

Comparison of outcome of POSSUM, p-POSSUM, and cr-POSSUM scoring after elective resection of the sigmoid colon for carcinoma or complicated diverticular disease.

OBJECTIVE: To compare POSSUM, p-POSSUM, and cr-POSSUM-predicted mortalities with the observed postoperative mortality in patients undergoing elective sigmoid colectomy for diverticular disease (n=121) or carcinoma (n=120). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The physiologic and operative severity score for the enumeration of mortality and morbidity (POSSUM) was used to identify patient- or disease-related risk factors and to calculate expected mortalities. RESULTS: Patients with carcinoma had significantly higher POSSUM scores, but the observed mortality (1.7%) was lower than that in the diverticular disease group (3.3%). In the carcinoma group, mortality was over-predicted by all the POSSUM systems. In diverticular disease, POSSUM over-predicted mortality while p-POSSUM and cr-POSSUM under-predicted mortality. In the whole group, POSSUM over-predicted mortality. P-POSSUM and cr-POSSUM predicted mortality accurately: observed:expected (O:E) ratio 0.83. Replacing the score for malignancy with a minimum score of 1 gave overall O:E ratios of 0.37 (POSSUM), 1.04 (p-POSSUM), and 0.93 (cr-POSSUM). CONCLUSIONS: In a group of patients who underwent elective resection of the sigmoid colon for carcinoma or diverticular disease, postoperative mortality was predicted accurately by p-Possum and cr-POSSUM, especially when used without a score for malignancy. None of the POSSUM scores were predictive of disease-specific mortality.