Diverticulitis: Antibiotics or Close Observation?

Summary

Rationale The prevalence of colonic diverticular disease is increasing in Western countries. Approximately 10 to 25% of patients with diverticular disease will eventually develop an episode of acute diverticulitis. Currently conservative treatment often includes antibiotic therapy. This advice lacks sound evidence and is merely based on experts' opinion. An old clinical dogma is being clarified with this randomized trial. Objective Primary objective is to evaluate whether or not using antibiotics reduces to time to full recovery of an attack of uncomplicated (mild) diverticulitis. Secondary objectives are to evaluate complications, quality of life, readmission rate, recurrence rate, medical and non-medical costs, and antibiotic resistance/sensitivity in both groups. Hypothesis The investigators hypothesis is that in the treatment of uncomplicated (mild) acute diverticulitis, supportive treatment without antibiotics is a more cost-effective approach than conservative treatment with antibiotics with respect to time-to-recovery as primary outcome. Study design A randomized, open label, multicenter clinical trial comparing treatment of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis with antibiotics to observation and supportive care alone. Study population Patients 18 years or older are eligible for inclusion if they have a diagnosis of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis as demonstrated by imaging. Only patients with stages 1a and 1b according to Hinchey's classification or "mild" diverticulitis according to the Ambrosetti criteria are included. Intervention Conservative strategy with antibiotics: supportive measures and at least 48 hours of intravenous antibiotics (and therefore admittance to the hospital) and subsequently switch to oral antibiotics if tolerated (total duration of 10 days). Control Liberal strategy without antibiotics: supportive measures only. Observation and oral intake as tolerated. Admittance only if discharge criteria are not met on presentation. Main study parameters/endpoints The primary endpoint is time-to-recovery with a 6-month follow-up period. Secondary endpoints are occurrence of complicated diverticulitis requiring surgery or percutaneous treatment, morbidity, health related quality of life, readmission rate, recurrence rate, medical and non-medical costs, and antibiotic resistance/sensitivity.

Timeline

Start

2010-05

Primary completion

2013-04

Completion

2014-10

Publications

• Background de Korte N, Unlu C, Boermeester MA, Cuesta MA, Vrouenreats BC, Stockmann HB. Use of antibiotics in uncomplicated diverticulitis. Br J Surg. 2011 Jun;98(6):761-7. doi: 10.1002/bjs.7376. Epub 2011 Jan 6.
• Background de Korte N, Kuyvenhoven JP, van der Peet DL, Felt-Bersma RJ, Cuesta MA, Stockmann HB. Mild colonic diverticulitis can be treated without antibiotics. A case-control study. Colorectal Dis. 2012 Mar;14(3):325-30. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-1318.2011.02609.x.
• Background de Korte N, Klarenbeek BR, Kuyvenhoven JP, Roumen RM, Cuesta MA, Stockmann HB. Management of diverticulitis: results of a survey among gastroenterologists and surgeons. Colorectal Dis. 2011 Dec;13(12):e411-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-1318.2011.02744.x.
• Background Unlu C, de Korte N, Daniels L, Consten EC, Cuesta MA, Gerhards MF, van Geloven AA, van der Zaag ES, van der Hoeven JA, Klicks R, Cense HA, Roumen RM, Eijsbouts QA, Lange JF, Fockens P, de Borgie CA, Bemelman WA, Reitsma JB, Stockmann HB, Vrouenraets BC, Boermeester MA; Dutch Diverticular Disease 3D Collaborative Study Group. A multicenter randomized clinical trial investigating the cost-effectiveness of treatment strategies with or without antibiotics for uncomplicated acute diverticulitis (DIABOLO trial). BMC Surg. 2010 Jul 20;10:23. doi: 10.1186/1471-2482-10-23.
• Background Draaisma WA, van de Wall BJ, Vermeulen J, Unlu C, de Korte N, Swank HA. [Treatment for diverticulitis not thoroughly researched]. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2009;153:A648. Dutch.
• Background Unlu C, Daniels L, Vrouenraets BC, Boermeester MA. A systematic review of high-fibre dietary therapy in diverticular disease. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2012 Apr;27(4):419-27. doi: 10.1007/s00384-011-1308-3. Epub 2011 Sep 16.
• Daniels L, Unlu C, de Korte N, van Dieren S, Stockmann HB, Vrouenraets BC, Consten EC, van der Hoeven JA, Eijsbouts QA, Faneyte IF, Bemelman WA, Dijkgraaf MG, Boermeester MA; Dutch Diverticular Disease (3D) Collaborative Study Group. Randomized clinical trial of observational versus antibiotic treatment for a first episode of CT-proven uncomplicated acute diverticulitis. Br J Surg. 2017 Jan;104(1):52-61. doi: 10.1002/bjs.10309. Epub 2016 Sep 30.

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