BACKGROUND: Two RCTs (AVOD and DIABOLO) demonstrated no difference in recovery or adverse outcomes when antibiotics for acute uncomplicated diverticulitis were omitted. Both trials showed non-significantly higher rates of complicated diverticulitis and surgery in the non-antibiotic groups. This meta-analysis of individual-patient data aimed to explore adverse outcomes and identify patients at risk who may benefit from antibiotic treatment.
METHODS: Individual-patient data from those with uncomplicated diverticulitis from two RCTs were pooled. Risk factors for adverse outcomes and the effect of observational management were assessed using logistic regression analyses. P < 0·025 was considered statistically significant owing to multiple testing adjustment.
RESULTS: In total, 545 patients in the observational group and 564 in the antibiotics group were included. No statistical differences were found in 1-year follow-up rates of ongoing diverticulitis (7·2 versus 5·0 per cent in observation versus antibiotics groups respectively; P = 0·062), recurrent diverticulitis (8·6 versus 9·6 per cent; P = 0·610), complicated diverticulitis (4·0 versus 2·1 per cent; P = 0·079) and sigmoid resection (5·0 versus 2·5 per cent; P = 0·214). An initial pain score greater than 7, white blood cell count exceeding 13·5 × 109 /l and previous diverticulitis at presentation were risk factors for adverse outcomes. Antibiotic treatment did not prevent adverse outcomes in patients at high risk of adverse events.
CONCLUSION: Observational management of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis is safe. Some statistical uncertainty remains, depending on the thresholds of clinical relevance, owing to small differences, but no subgroup that would benefit from antibiotic treatment was apparent.
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.
BACKGROUND: Despite low-quality and conflicting evidence, the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland recommends the routine use of antibiotics in the treatment of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis. Recent studies have shown that treatment without antibiotics did not prolong recovery. Some new guidelines currently recommend selective use of antibiotics.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the safety, effectiveness, and outcomes in treating uncomplicated acute diverticulitis without antibiotics with treatment with antibiotics.
DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, Clinicaltrials.gov, and the Cochrane Library were searched with the key words antibiotics and diverticulitis.
STUDY SELECTION: All studies published in English on treating uncomplicated acute diverticulitis without antibiotics and containing >20 individuals were included.
INTERVENTION: Treatment without antibiotics versus treatment with antibiotics were compared.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the percentage of patients requiring additional treatment or intervention to settle during the initial episode. The secondary outcomes were duration of hospital stay, rate of readmission or deferred admission, need for surgical or radiological intervention, recurrence, and complication.
RESULTS: Search yielded 1164 studies. Nine studies were eligible and included in the meta-analysis, composed of 2505 patients, including 1663 treated without antibiotics and 842 treated with an antibiotic. The no-antibiotics group had a significantly shorter hospital stay (mean difference = -0.68; p = 0.04). There was no significant difference in the percentage of patients requiring additional treatment or intervention to settle during the initial episode (5.3% vs 3.6%; risk ratio = 1.48; p = 0.28), rate of readmission or deferred admission (risk ratio = 1.17; p = 0.26), need for surgical or radiological intervention (risk ratio = 0.61; p = 0.34), recurrence (risk ratio = 0.83; p = 0.21), and complications (risk ratio = 0.70-1.18; p = 0.67-0.91).
LIMITATIONS: Only a limited number of studies were available, and they were of variable qualities.
CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis without antibiotics is associated with a significantly shorter hospital stay. There is no significant difference in the percentage of patients requiring additional treatment or intervention to settle in the initial episode, rate of readmission or deferred admission, need for surgical or radiological intervention, recurrence, or complications.
BACKGROUND: Uncomplicated colonic diverticulitis is common. There is no consensus regarding the most appropriate management. Some authors have reported the efficacy and safety of observational management, and others have argued for a more aggressive approach with oral or intravenous antibiotic treatment.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to perform an updated meta-analysis of the different management strategies for uncomplicated diverticulitis with 2 separate meta-analyses.
DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were used.
STUDY SELECTION: All randomized clinical trials, prospective, and retrospective comparative studies were included.
INTERVENTIONS: Observational and antibiotics treatment or oral and intravenous antibiotics treatment were included.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Successful management (emergency management, recurrence, elective management) was measured.
RESULTS: After review of 293 identified records, 11 studies fit inclusion criteria: 7 studies compared observational management and antibiotics treatment (2321 patients), and 4 studies compared oral and intravenous antibiotics treatment (355 patients). There was no significant difference between observational management and antibiotics treatment in terms of emergency surgery (0.7% vs 1.4%; p = 0.1) and recurrence (11% vs 12%; p = 0.3). In this part, considering only randomized trials, elective surgery during the follow-up occurred more frequently in the observational group than the antibiotic group (2.5% vs 0.9%; p = 0.04). The second meta-analysis showed that failure and recurrence rates were similar between oral and intravenous antibiotics treatment (6% vs 7% (p = 0.6) and 8% vs 9% (p = 0.8)).
LIMITATIONS: Inclusion of nonrandomized studies, identification of high risks of bias (selection, performance, and detection bias), and presence of heterogeneity between the studies limited this work.
CONCLUSIONS: Observational management was not statistically different from antibiotic treatment for the primary outcome of needing to undergo surgery. However, in patients being treated by antibiotics, our studies demonstrated that oral administration was similar to intravenous administration and provided lower costs. Although it may be difficult for physicians to do, there is mounting evidence that not treating uncomplicated colonic diverticulitis with antibiotics is a viable treatment alternative.
BACKGROUND: Antibiotics use in acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (AUD) remains debated despite recent studies suggesting no difference in outcomes for patients treated without antibiotics.
DATA SOURCES: Systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to determine the role of antibiotics in managing AUD. Literature search was conducted using Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases from 1946 to June 2017. Eight studies with 2469 patients were included for review. Overall complication rates were not statistically significant between groups (OR 0.72; CI 0.45 to 1.16; P = 0.18), but antibiotic use was associated with a longer length of stay in hospital. Subgroup analysis revealed no difference in readmission rates, treatment failure rates, progression to complicated diverticulitis, or increased need for elective or emergent surgery between study groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic use in patients with AUD increases length of hospital stay but is not associated with a reduction in overall or individual complication rates.
BACKGROUND: Diverticulitis is a common complication of diverticular disease of the colon. While complicated diverticulitis often warrants intervention, acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (AUD) is usually managed conservatively. The aim of the present review was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of conservative treatment of AUD without antibiotics compared to standard antibiotic treatment.
METHODS: A systematic literature review in compliance with PRISMA guidelines was conducted. Electronic databases including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane central register of controlled trials were searched. Studies that assessed efficacy and safety of treatment of AUD without antibiotics were included. Outcome parameters were rates of treatment failure, recurrence of diverticulitis, complications and mortality, readmission to hospital, and need for surgery.
RESULTS: Nine studies including 2565 patients were included to the review. Of these patients, 65.1% were treated conservatively without antibiotics. Treatment failure was observed in 5.1% of patients not-given-antibiotic treatment versus 3.4% of those given antibiotic treatment. Recurrent diverticulitis occurred in 9.3% of patients in the non-antibiotic group versus 12.1% of patients in the antibiotic group. On meta-analysis of the studies, there were no significant differences between non-antibiotic and antibiotic treatment groups regarding rates of treatment failure (OR = 1.5, p = 0.06), recurrence of diverticulitis (OR = 0.81, p = 0.2), complications (OR = 0.56, p = 0.25), readmission rates (OR = 0.97, p = 0.91), need for surgery (OR = 0.59, p = 0.28), and mortality (OR = 0.64, p = 0.47). The only variable that was significantly associated with treatment failure in the non-antibiotic treatment group was associated comorbidities (standard error (SE) = - 0.07, 95% CI - 0.117 - 0.032; p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of AUD without antibiotics is feasible, safe, and effective. Adding broad-spectrum antibiotics to the treatment regimen did not serve to decrease treatment failure, recurrence, complications, hospital readmissions, and need for surgery significantly compared to non-antibiotic treatment.
BACKGROUND: Acute diverticulitis occurs in 25% of individuals with diverticular disease and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Disease severity is classified as uncomplicated or complicated, with the latter including perforation, fistula, obstruction, or distant abscess. Uncomplicated diverticulitis often improves without surgery or invasive therapies. Administration of antibiotics is a standard of care for treatment of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis. However, recent data suggest antibiotics do not influence outcomes significantly. To address these conflicting approaches, the Surgical Infection Society hosted an Update Symposium at its 37th Annual Meeting examining the role of antibiotics in the treatment of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis. Here, we provide a synopsis of the symposium's findings and a brief review of recent prospective and randomized clinical trials on the topic.
METHODS: A search of Embase, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library was performed for prospective series and randomized clinical trials published between January 1, 2010, and January 1, 2018, comparing outcomes of antibiotic versus no antibiotic therapy for acute uncomplicated diverticulitis.
RESULTS: We identified two single-center prospective series and two randomized clinical trials comparing outcomes for patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis treated with antibiotics versus no antibiotics.
CONCLUSION: Current evidence does not support administration of antibiotics to improve outcomes in carefully selected healthy patients with acute uncomplicated left-sided diverticulitis. Further studies should help identify specific subpopulations of patients who would derive benefit from antibiotic therapy and help define appropriate antibiotic regimens and treatment durations that minimize cost, adverse effects, and risk of anti-microbial resistance.
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.
Two RCTs (AVOD and DIABOLO) demonstrated no difference in recovery or adverse outcomes when antibiotics for acute uncomplicated diverticulitis were omitted. Both trials showed non-significantly higher rates of complicated diverticulitis and surgery in the non-antibiotic groups. This meta-analysis of individual-patient data aimed to explore adverse outcomes and identify patients at risk who may benefit from antibiotic treatment.
METHODS:
Individual-patient data from those with uncomplicated diverticulitis from two RCTs were pooled. Risk factors for adverse outcomes and the effect of observational management were assessed using logistic regression analyses. P < 0·025 was considered statistically significant owing to multiple testing adjustment.
RESULTS:
In total, 545 patients in the observational group and 564 in the antibiotics group were included. No statistical differences were found in 1-year follow-up rates of ongoing diverticulitis (7·2 versus 5·0 per cent in observation versus antibiotics groups respectively; P = 0·062), recurrent diverticulitis (8·6 versus 9·6 per cent; P = 0·610), complicated diverticulitis (4·0 versus 2·1 per cent; P = 0·079) and sigmoid resection (5·0 versus 2·5 per cent; P = 0·214). An initial pain score greater than 7, white blood cell count exceeding 13·5 × 109 /l and previous diverticulitis at presentation were risk factors for adverse outcomes. Antibiotic treatment did not prevent adverse outcomes in patients at high risk of adverse events.
CONCLUSION:
Observational management of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis is safe. Some statistical uncertainty remains, depending on the thresholds of clinical relevance, owing to small differences, but no subgroup that would benefit from antibiotic treatment was apparent.
Systematic Review Question»Systematic review of interventions
