Factors Associated With Decision Regret Among Patients With Diverticulitis in the Elective Setting.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to identify decision process measures associated with patient decisional regret regarding the decision to pursue elective colectomy or observation for diverticulitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-center cross-sectional survey study. We included adult patients treated for diverticulitis between 2014 and 2019 and excluded patients who required urgent or emergent colectomy. The primary outcome was regret regarding the decision to pursue elective surgery or observation for diverticulitis, measured using the Decision Regret Scale. We used multivariable linear regression to examine hypothesized predictors of decision regret, including decisional conflict (Decision Conflict Scale and its subscales), shared decision-making, and decision role concordance. RESULTS: Of 923 eligible patients, 133 were included in the analysis. Patients had a median of five episodes of diverticulitis (interquartile range 3-8), occurring a median of 2 y (interquartile range 1-3) before survey administration. Thirty-eight patients (29%) underwent elective surgery for diverticulitis. Decision regret (Decision Regret Scale score ≥25) was present in 42 patients (32%). After controlling for surgery, gender, health status, and years since treatment, decision regret was associated with decisional conflict and inversely associated with values clarity, decision role concordance, shared decision-making, and feeling informed, supported, and effective in decision-making (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly one-third of survey respondents experienced regret regarding the decision between elective surgery and observation for diverticulitis. Decision regret may be reduced through efforts to improve patient knowledge, values clarity, role concordance, and shared decision-making.

Optimal Operative Strategy for Hinchey III Sigmoid Diverticulitis: A Decision Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Operative approaches for Hinchey III diverticulitis include the Hartmann procedure, primary resection and anastomosis, and laparoscopic lavage. Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have compared these approaches; however, results are conflicting and previous studies have not captured the complexity of balancing surgical risks and quality of life. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the optimal operative strategy for patients with Hinchey III sigmoid diverticulitis. DESIGN: We developed a Markov cohort model, incorporating perioperative morbidity/mortality, emergency and elective reoperations, and quality-of-life weights. We derived model parameters from systematic reviews and meta-analyses, where possible. We performed a second-order Monte Carlo probabilistic sensitivity analysis to account for joint uncertainty in model parameters. SETTING: This study measured outcomes over patients' lifetime horizon. PATIENTS: The base case was a simulated cohort of 65-year-old patients with Hinchey III diverticulitis. A scenario simulating a cohort of highly comorbid 80-year-old patients was also planned. INTERVENTIONS: Hartmann procedure, primary resection and anastomosis (with or without diverting ileostomy), and laparoscopic lavage were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Quality-adjusted life years were the primary outcome measured. RESULTS: Following surgery for Hinchey III diverticulitis, 39.5% of patients who underwent the Hartmann procedure, 14.3% of patients who underwent laparoscopic lavage, and 16.7% of patients who underwent primary resection and anastomosis had a stoma at 12 months. After applying quality-of-life weights, primary resection and anastomosis was the optimal operative strategy, yielding 18.0 quality-adjusted life years; laparoscopic lavage and the Hartmann procedure yielded 9.6 and 13.7 fewer quality-adjusted life months. A scenario analysis for elderly, highly comorbid patients could not be performed because of a lack of high-quality evidence to inform model parameters. LIMITATIONS: This model required assumptions about the long-term postoperative course of patients who underwent laparoscopic lavage because few long-term data for this group have been published. CONCLUSIONS: Although the Hartmann procedure is widely used for Hinchey III diverticulitis, when considering both surgical risks and quality of life, both laparoscopic lavage and primary resection and anastomosis provide greater quality-adjusted life years for patients with Hinchey III diverticulitis, and primary resection and anastomosis appears to be the optimal approach. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B223. ESTRATEGIA OPERATIVA ÓPTIMA EN DIVERTICULITIS HINCHEY III DE SIGMOIDES: UN ANÁLISIS DE DECISION: Los enfoques quirúrgicos para la diverticulitis Hinchey III incluyen el procedimiento de Hartmann, la resección primaria y anastomosis, y el lavado laparoscópico. Varios ensayos controlados aleatorios y metanálisis han comparado estos enfoques; sin embargo, los resultados son contradictorios y los estudios previos no han captado la complejidad de equilibrar los riesgos quirúrgicos y la calidad de vida.Determinar la estrategia operativa óptima para pacientes con diverticulitis Hinchey III de sigmoides.Desarrollamos un modelo de cohorte de Markov, incorporando morbilidad / mortalidad perioperatoria, reoperaciones electivas y de emergencia, y pesos de calidad de vida. Derivamos los parámetros del modelo de revisiones sistemáticas y metaanálisis, cuando fue posible. Realizamos un análisis de sensibilidad probabilístico Monte Carlo de segundo orden para tener en cuenta la incertidumbre conjunta en los parámetros del modelo.Seguimiento de por vida.El caso base fue una cohorte simulada de pacientes de 65 años con diverticulitis de Hinchey III. También se planeó un escenario que simulaba una cohorte de pacientes de 80 años altamente comórbidos.Procedimiento de Hartmann, resección primaria y anastomosis (con o sin desviación de ileostomía) y lavado laparoscópico.Años de vida ajustados por calidad.Después de la cirugía para la diverticulitis de Hinchey III, el 39.5% de los pacientes que se sometieron al procedimiento de Hartmann, el 14.3% de los pacientes que se sometieron a un lavado laparoscópico, y el 16.7% de los pacientes que se sometieron a resección primaria y anastomosis tuvieron un estoma a los 12 meses. Después de aplicar el peso de la calidad de vida, la resección primaria y la anastomosis fueron la estrategia operativa óptima, que dio como resultado 18.0 años de vida ajustados en función de la calidad; el lavado laparoscópico y el procedimiento de Hartmann arrojaron 9.6 y 13.7 meses de vida ajustados en función de la calidad, respectivamente. No se pudo realizar un análisis de escenarios para pacientes de edad avanzada altamente comórbidos debido a la falta de evidencia de alta calidad para informar los parámetros del modelo.Este modelo requirió suposiciones sobre el curso postoperatorio a largo plazo de pacientes que se sometieron a lavado laparoscópico, ya que se han publicado pocos datos a largo plazo para este grupo.Aunque el procedimiento de Hartmann se usa ampliamente para la diverticulitis de Hinchey III, cuando se consideran tanto los riesgos quirúrgicos como la calidad de vida, tanto el lavado laparoscópico como la resección primaria y la anastomosis proporcionan una mayor calidad de años de vida ajustada para los pacientes con diverticulitis de Hinchey III y la resección primaria y anastomosis parece ser el enfoque óptimo. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B223.

Reduction of the frequency of recurrent diverticulitis episodes under treatment with the integrative medicine therapies Carpellum Mali comp. and Kalium aceticum comp.-A case report.

BACKGROUND: Colonic diverticula develop in at least 60% of elderly patients. Less than 25% of these develop diverticulitis. Recurrent episodes are experienced by about 13% of the symptomatic patients. The effect on prevention of recurrent diverticulitis of currently used therapies is controversial. Surgical colon resection is used in some patients in emergency or to prevent future episodes and complications. Carpellum Mali comp. (Juglans regia, Testa; Pirus malus, Carpellum) and Kalium aceticum comp. (Kalium carbonicum, Acetum vini destillatum, Antimonit, Crocus sativus, Spiritus e vino, Corallium rubrum) - preparations of Integrative Anthroposophic Medicine - have been used for at least 60 years to improve chronic abdominal pain and to treat obstipation, irritable bowel syndrome and colitis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 72-year-old retired physician presented in 2013 with a 7-year history of recurrent diverticulitis. During the first 6 years, three to four episodes each year required antibiotic therapy. In 2013 the episodes became more frequent, occurring approximately every 2 months. The patient was concerned about risks from repeated antibiotic treatment and the potential need for surgery. Oral Carpellum Mali comp. and subcutaneous Kalium aceticum comp. treatments were added to the therapy in March. The patient experienced improvement over 4 months without any symptoms. In the following 28 months she had 4 minor diverticulitis episodes, followed by 11-months without any flares; she reported no side effects in the 41-month follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Carpellum Mali comp. and Kalium aceticum comp. seem to have been helpful in the case presented here. Experiences with theses remedies in recurrent diverticulitis should be collected to determine whether it would be meaningful to carry out further investigations.

The Lived Experiences of Persons Hospitalized for Construction of an Urgent Fecal Ostomy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experiences of hospital stays for patients undergoing urgent ostomy surgery. DESIGN: Qualitative, descriptive, phenomenological study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: Six persons undergoing acute hospital admission and urgent ileostomy or colostomy surgery (either permanent or temporary) participated in the study. Participants were of Danish ethnicity and between the ages of 48 and 75 years. The research setting was the surgical department at a university hospital in the Capital Region of Denmark. METHODS: Data collection and analyses were guided by a Reflective Lifeworld Research approach; this approach is based on phenomenological philosophy. Data were collected during in-depth interviews using a semistructured interview guide. Their average length was 50 minutes (range, 30-65 minutes). Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed. Transcriptions were analyzed in 4 phases according to the principles of Reflective Lifeworld Research. RESULTS: The phenomenon we labeled "lived experiences of acute hospitalization with construction of an urgent unplanned fecal ostomy" comprised 4 constituents: (1) undergoing unexpected bodily changes, (2) partnership with professional caregivers, (3) experience of vulnerability, and (4) a lack of continuity. These constituents can be described as a number of challenges due to both hospitalization and ostomy creation. CONCLUSION: We found that individuals experience a number of challenges due to acute hospitalization and urgent construction of a fecal ostomy. These challenges are due to the unexpected bodily changes and interpersonal and organizational conditions. Nurses should be aware of not only the physical implications of urgent creation of a fecal ostomy but also the individual and psychological implications of this event.

Psychiatric morbidity after surgery for inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review.

AIM: To examine the evidence about psychiatric morbidity after inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-related surgery. METHODS: PRISMA guidelines were followed and a protocol was published at PROSPERO (CRD42016037600). Inclusion criteria were studies describing patients with inflammatory bowel disease undergoing surgery and their risk of developing psychiatric disorder. RESULTS: Twelve studies (including 4340 patients) were eligible. All studies were non-randomized and most had high risk of bias. Patients operated for inflammatory bowel disease had an increased risk of developing depression, compared with surgical patients with diverticulitis or inguinal hernia, but not cancer. In addition, patients with Crohn's disease had higher risk of depression after surgery compared with non-surgical patients. Patients with ulcerative colitis had higher risk of anxiety after surgery compared with surgical colorectal cancer patients. Charlson comorbidity score more than three and female gender were independent predictors for depression and anxiety following surgery. CONCLUSION: The review cannot give any clear answer to the risks of psychiatric morbidity after surgery for IBD studies with the lowest risk of bias indicated an increased risk of depression among surgical patients with Crohn's disease and increased risk of anxiety among patients with ulcerative colitis.

Elective colonic resection after acute diverticulitis improves quality of life, intestinal symptoms and functional outcome: experts' perspectives and review of literature.

The decision whether to operate for diverticular disease and the appropriate selection of right candidates for elective colectomy after recovery from an uncomplicated episode of acute diverticulitis remains controversial. Although both the impact of symptomatic disease and occurrence of its complications are extensively studied, there is no consensus about the role of elective colonic resection in the management of symptomatic recurrent diverticulitis. In this study, the database of ERIC, the Web of Science, EMBASE, and MEDLINE were searched for the English-language published articles about the functional outcomes and symptomatic improvement in patients after elective surgery for diverticular disease. A majority of clinical trials showed that elective surgery following a successful conservative treatment of acute diverticulitis resulted in significantly better social and functional well-being. In addition, elective surgery greatly reduces the potential events of disease recurrence, thus decreasing financial burden on the national health services. However, to obtain the best functional outcome surgical intervention must be individualized and tailored to meet every single patient's specific indigenous symptomatology.

Association of sociodemographic and clinical factors with the self-image and self-esteem of individuals with intestinal stoma / Assoiação dos fatores sociodemográficos e clínicos à autoimagem e autoestima dos indivíduos com estoma intestinal

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and sociodemographic factors and correlate them to the self-image and self-esteem. Methods: A study conducted at Ostomy Pole of PousoAlegre. The data were collected between December 2012 and May 2013. This was a non-probabilistic, by convenience, sample. For data collection, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale/UNIFESP-EPM and Body Investment Scale were used. For statistical analysis, chi-squared test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman correlation were used. Levels of significance of 5% (p ≤ 0.05) were considered. Results: Participants had a mean score of 10.81 in the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale/UNIFESP. Regarding Body Investment Scale results, the mean total score was 38.79; the mean in the domain of body image was 7.74, and for personal touch, 21.31. When comparing data related to the stoma and sociodemographic profiles with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale/UNIFESP and Body Investment Scale, we realize that all patients demonstrated a decrease in self-esteem and self-image. Individuals were over 60 years old, male, retired, married and were not participants in support group/association. With regard to the characteristics of the stoma, those permanent colostomized had as causes of stoma implementation inflammatory disease and neoplasia; stomata measured between 20 and 40 mm; these people used two-piece devices. People who have not been notified that would be subjected to the stoma and in whom no demarcation was done showed worsening in self-esteem and self-image in relation to other features related to injury and sociodemographic data. Conclusion: Patients who participated in this study had low self-image and self-esteem in all characteristics of the stoma and in sociodemographic data, meaning that these individuals had negative feelings about their own bodies. .

Objetivo: Avaliar os fatores sociodemográficos e clínicos e correlacioná-los à autoimagem e autoestima. Métodos: Estudo realizado no Polo dos Estomizados de Pouso Alegre. Os dados foram coletados entre dezembro de 2012 e maio de 2013. A amostra foi por não probabilística, por conveniência. Para coleta de dados, foram utilizadas a Escala de Autoestima Rosenberg/UNIFESP-EPM e a escala BodyInvestmentScale. Para análise estatística, foram utilizados os testes do Qui-quadrado e de Kruskal-Wallise a correlação de Spearman. Foram considerados os níveis de significância 5% (p ≤ 0,05). Resultados: Os participantes apresentaram a média de 10,81 na Escala de Autoestima Rosenberg/UNIFESP-EPM. Com relaação à escala BodyInvestmentScale, a média do escore total foi 38,79; a médianos domínios imagem corporal foi de 7,74 e no toque pessoal, 21,31. Ao comparamos os dados relacionados ao estoma e sociodemográficos com a Escala de Autoestima Rosenberg/UNIFESP-EPM e com escala BodyInvestmentScale, percebemos que todos os pacientes apresentaram queda na autoestima e na autoimagem. Os indivíduos estavam na faixa etária acima de 60 anos, sexo masculino, eram aposentados e casados e não participavam de grupo de apoio/associação. Com relação às características do estoma, os indivíduos com colostomia permanente tinham como causas da realização do estoma doença inflamatória e neoplasia; os estomas mensuravam entre 20 a 40 mm; eles utilizavam dispositivo com duas peças. Pessoas que não foram comunicadas de que iriam ser submetidas ao estoma, e em que não foi realizada a demarcação apresentaram piora na autoestima e na autoimagem com relação às outras características relacionadas à lesão e às sociodemográficas. Conclusão: Pacientes que participaram deste estudo apresentaram baixa na autoimagem e autoestima em todas as características do estoma e nos dados sociodemográficos, significando que esses indivíduos tinham sentimentos negativos em relação ao próprio corpo.

The effect of gastroenterology training on the efficiency and cost of care provided to patients with diverticulitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: National trends emphasize the need for cost-efficient medical care with no diminution in quality. The most appropriate role for various physician groups has yet to be determined. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of medical care provided by family practitioners (FPs), internists (IMs), and gastroenterologists (GIs) for acute diverticulitis. METHODS: All medicare hospitalizations from 1990 to 1993 in Illinois caused by acute diverticulitis, with FPs, IMs, or GIs as the primary attending physician, were included in the study. RESULTS: The primary attending physician was an FP in 1019 cases, an IM in 2535 cases, and a GI in 163 cases. The age and sex distributions were similar. The length of stay was significantly shorter (P < 0.0001) for GIs (7.4 +/- 6 days) than for FPs (7.9 +/- 14 days) or IMs (8.6 +/- 7 days). Readmission rate was significantly less (P < 0.03) for GIs (4.5%) than for FPs (7.7%) or IMs (10.0%). No significant differences were noted in complication rates or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with diverticulitis treated by GIs have a shorter hospital stay and a lower risk for readmission than patients treated by FPs or IMs. This improved quality of care should be considered by managed care organizations because they decide the role of various physician groups.

True stories.

Four stories, all true, all upsetting, all with lessons for the discerning doctor. In this series, life won 3-1. But none of us are immortal, no matter what an over confident American group who call themselves 'The Immortals' I saw on television the other day has to say. Lest we forget--families, friends, patients and what we do to them, stress and risk factors--the potpourri of our medical lives.