Benign course for symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease
Clinical Question
What is the prognosis for adults with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease?
Bottom Line
The vast majority (more than 95%) of adults diagnosed with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease described their symptoms as none or mild and as not affecting their daily activities after a 5-year follow-up. (LOE = 1b)
Reference
Salem TA, Molloy RG, O'Dwyer PJ. Prospective, five-year follow-up study of patients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease. Dis Colon Rectum 2007;50(9):1460-1464. [PMID:17431721]
Study Design
Cohort (prospective)
Funding
Unknown/not stated
Setting
Outpatient (specialty)
Synopsis
To evaluate the natural history of diverticular disease, these investigators identified 163 adults, aged 64 to 80 years, diagnosed with symptomatic, uncomplicated diverticular disease. All patients were referred to a surgical outpatient clinic by their primary care clinician for the assessment of large bowel symptoms. Symptoms included lower left quadrant pain and/or change in bowel habits without evidence of inflammation (no fever, tenderness, or increased inflammatory markers). The diagnosis of diverticular disease was confirmed using colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, or barium enema. Outcomes were assessed using a computerized database of hospital records, telephone contact with patients, and from primary care clinicians. A total of 25 patients were excluded from follow-up as a result of having left-sided colon cancer or rectal bleeding secondary to polyps or hemorrhoids. Nineteen patients died; none of the deaths were considered secondary to diverticular disease and an additional 18 patients (14%) were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 119 patients who were followed up for a median of 5.5 years, 2 (1.7%) were successfully treated for acute diverticulitis and 1 additional patient underwent surgery for recurrent symptoms. The other 116 patients (97%) described their symptoms as either none or mild and as not affecting their daily activities after a median follow-up of 66 months.
Citation
Barry, Henry, et al., editors. "Benign Course for Symptomatic Uncomplicated Diverticular Disease." EE+ POEM Archive, John Wiley & Sons, 2024. Evidence Central, evidence.unboundmedicine.com/evidence/view/infoPOEMs/426672/all/Benign_course_for_symptomatic_uncomplicated_diverticular_disease.
Benign course for symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease. In: Barry HH, Ebell MHM, Shaughnessy AFA, et al, eds. EE+ POEM Archive. John Wiley & Sons; 2024. https://evidence.unboundmedicine.com/evidence/view/infoPOEMs/426672/all/Benign_course_for_symptomatic_uncomplicated_diverticular_disease. Accessed December 9, 2024.
Benign course for symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease. (2024). In Barry, H., Ebell, M. H., Shaughnessy, A. F., & Slawson, D. C. (Eds.), EE+ POEM Archive. John Wiley & Sons. https://evidence.unboundmedicine.com/evidence/view/infoPOEMs/426672/all/Benign_course_for_symptomatic_uncomplicated_diverticular_disease
Benign Course for Symptomatic Uncomplicated Diverticular Disease [Internet]. In: Barry HH, Ebell MHM, Shaughnessy AFA, Slawson DCD, editors. EE+ POEM Archive. John Wiley & Sons; 2024. [cited 2024 December 09]. Available from: https://evidence.unboundmedicine.com/evidence/view/infoPOEMs/426672/all/Benign_course_for_symptomatic_uncomplicated_diverticular_disease.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - ELEC
T1 - Benign course for symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease
ID - 426672
ED - Barry,Henry,
ED - Ebell,Mark H,
ED - Shaughnessy,Allen F,
ED - Slawson,David C,
BT - EE+ POEM Archive
UR - https://evidence.unboundmedicine.com/evidence/view/infoPOEMs/426672/all/Benign_course_for_symptomatic_uncomplicated_diverticular_disease
PB - John Wiley & Sons
DB - Evidence Central
DP - Unbound Medicine
ER -