Trend and risk factors of diverticulosis in Japan: age, gender, and lifestyle/metabolic-related factors may cooperatively affect on the colorectal diverticula formation

Is bowel preparation necessary for early colonoscopy in patients with suspected colonic diverticular bleeding?: A multicenter retrospective study with propensity score matching analysis

Objectives

There are few reports on bowel preparation for early colonoscopy in patients with suspected colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB). We aim to clarify in a retrospective, multicenter study.

Methods

In a multicenter retrospective cohort study at 10 institutions, we analyzed clinical features of patients diagnosed with CDB, who underwent early colonoscopy within 24 h. We compared patients who were prepared with polyethylene glycol lavage (PEL) and those without PEL. We evaluated the effects of PEL for early colonoscopy in patients with suspected CDB.

Results

A total of 129 (53%) underwent under preparation with PEL and 113 patients without PEL. The PEL group was younger, had fewer comorbidities, and had better performance status. After adjusting for these variables with propensity score matching, the PEL group had a significantly shorter hospital stay (7.9 ± 4.7 vs. 10.1 ± 5.2 days; p = 0.001), and a higher cecal intubation rate (91.1% vs. 50.0%; p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in adverse event rates, identification of stigmata of recent hemorrhage, or frequency in endoscopic hemostatic treatment.

Conclusions

PEL may be preferred for early colonoscopy in patients suspected of having CDB.

The Prevalence and Management Outcomes of Diverticular Disease in a Tertiary Facility in Ghana

Background

Diverticular disease of the colon, previously believed to be rare among Africans, is now an emerging disease entity in many African countries. The increasing morbidity and varied presentations are associated with this.

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of diverticular disease among patients who underwent lower gastrointestinal endoscopies over a 5-year period and evaluate the common presentations, interventions, and treatment outcomes at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Ghana.

Materials and Methods

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients who underwent either a colonoscopy or proctosigmoidoscopy between January 2017 and December 2021, at the KBTH. The records of patients admitted for complications of diverticular disease over the same period were also reviewed.

Results

A total of 4266 patients underwent lower gastrointestinal endoscopy over the study period. Out of this, 380 were diagnosed with diverticular disease giving a prevalence of 8.91%. This comprised 58.95% male and 41.05% female. Their mean age was 67.02 (standard deviation ± 11.45). The age ranged from 26 to 95 years with a median of 67. Sixty-seven patients with 88 episodes of admission were managed for complications. The average age was 69.26 (SD ± 13.28) and ranged from 40 to 98 years with an interquartile range of 20 years. Complications were predominantly bleeding diverticular disease (94.32%), whereas 5.6% presented with diverticulitis. Ninety percent were managed conservatively, and 10% had surgical intervention.

Conclusion

This study concludes that the prevalence of diverticular disease among Ghanaians undergoing lower gastrointestinal endoscopy is still low and bleeding is the commonest indication for admission which is mostly managed conservatively.

Colouterine Fistula as a Rare Cause of Postmenopausal Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: A Case Report

Postmenopausal abnormal uterine bleeding is a common clinical problem addressed in gynaecological practice and should prompt clinical investigation due to the significant prevalence of malignant and premalignant lesions of the endometrium in this age group. Nevertheless, other causes should be considered, since its diagnostic and therapeutic management may differ considerably. Here, we present a case of a colouterine fistula due to chronic diverticulitis presenting with postmenopausal abnormal uterine bleeding. This is an infrequent occurrence and is caused by the rupture of a diverticular abscess into the uterine wall, resulting in an inflammatory adhesion of the colon and uterus, with necrosis and subsequent fistula formation. The clinical presentation is variable and may include abdominal pain, gastrointestinal tract symptoms, vaginal discharge, and abnormal uterine bleeding. The laboratory and imaging techniques may be not completely conclusive and definitive diagnosis can be made intraoperatively. There are different treatment options, with en bloc resection and primary anastomosis being used most often, allowing complete treatment. The prognosis for a colouterine fistula secondary to diverticulitis is excellent after surgery. This case highlights the importance of clinical suspicion of an unusual cause of uterine bleeding and an effective and multidisciplinary approach that allowed complete surgical treatment and patient recovery.

Effectiveness of Antibiotics for Uncomplicated Diverticulitis: A Retrospective Investigation Using a Nationwide Database in Japan

INTRODUCTION

The efficacy of antibiotics for diverticulitis without abscess or peritonitis (uncomplicated diverticulitis) is controversial. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis.

METHODS

We collected admission data for patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis using a nationwide database. We divided eligible admissions into two groups according to antibiotic initiation within 2 days after admission (antibiotic group vs. nonantibiotic group). We conducted propensity score matching and compared the rates of surgery (intestinal resection and stoma creation), in-hospital death, and medical costs between the groups. We also performed multivariate analysis to identify the clinical factors that affect surgery.

RESULTS

We enrolled 131,936 admissions; among these, we obtained 6,061 pairs after propensity score matching. Rates of both intestinal resection and stoma creation in the antibiotic group were lower than those in the nonantibiotic group (0.61 vs. 3.09%, p < 0.0001, and 0.08 vs. 0.26%, p = 0.027, respectively). Median costs in the antibiotic group were higher than those in the nonantibiotic group (315,820 JPY vs. 300,175 JPY, p < 0.0001, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that non-initiation of antibiotics within 2 days after admission was a clinical factor that increased the risk of intestinal resection (odds ratio [OR] = 5.19, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.38-6.16, p < 0.0001) and stoma creation (OR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.53-4.70, p = 0.0006).

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated that antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis expected to have moderate to severe disease activity may reduce the risk of intestinal resection and stoma creation. Further investigations are warranted.

Diverticulosis and cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic literature review

BACKGROUND

There is a hypothesis of an association between diverticulosis and metabolic syndrome (MS) or its components, but data on this topic are inconsistent, and a systematic review has not been performed. We conducted a systematic review to investigate the possible association between cardiometabolic risk factors and diverticulosis.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted via PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science in December 2022 to collect the necessary data. Studies that examined the association between MS or individual metabolic factors and asymptomatic diverticulosis were included in the review.

RESULTS

Of the potentially relevant articles identified via PubMed (477), Cochrane Library (224), and Web of Science (296), 29 articles met the inclusion criteria and were used for this work. These studies were assessed for study quality using GRADE. Overall, 6 studies were rated as "very low," 19 studies as "low," and 4 studies as "moderate." The data suggest an association between arterial hypertension, obesity, and fatty liver disease in younger patients and diverticulosis. Patient age appears to play an important role in diverticular formation. Data on diabetes mellitus is inconclusive and may require further investigation depending on the location of the diverticula.

CONCLUSION

Based on the synthesized data, there is an association between arterial hypertension, obesity, and fatty liver disease in younger patients. The formation of diverticula seems to be influenced by age and genetic factors. The study suggests a connection with cardiometabolic risk factors. To gain a better understanding of the role of metabolic risk factors in asymptomatic diverticulosis, targeted studies are necessary based on these findings.

Risk factors for difficult endoscopic hemostasis for colonic diverticular bleeding and efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial embolization

This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for difficult endoscopic hemostasis in patients with colonic diverticular bleeding and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for colonic diverticular bleeding. This study included 208 patients with colorectal diverticular hemorrhage. The non-interventional radiotherapy group consisted of patients who underwent successful spontaneous hemostasis (n = 131) or endoscopic hemostasis (n = 56), whereas the interventional radiotherapy group consisted of patients who underwent TAE (n = 21). Patient clinical characteristics were compared to identify independent risk factors for the interventional radiotherapy group. Furthermore, the hemostasis success rate, rebleeding rate, complications, and recurrence-free survival were compared between patients who underwent endoscopic hemostasis and those who underwent TAE. Bleeding from the right colon (odds ratio [OR]: 7.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6-38.8; P = .0113) and systolic blood pressure <80 mm Hg (OR: 0.108; 95% CI: 0.0189-0.62; P = .0126) were identified as independent risk factors for the interventional radiology group. The hemostasis success rate (P = 1.00), early rebleeding rate (within 30 days) (P = .736), late rebleeding rate (P = 1.00), and recurrence-free survival rate (P = .717) were not significantly different between the patients who underwent TAE and those who underwent endoscopic hemostasis. Patients in the TAE group experienced more complications than those in the endoscopic hemostasis group (P < .001). Complications included mild intestinal ischemia (19.0%) and perforation requiring surgery (4.8%). Patients who required interventional radiotherapy were more likely to bleed from the right colon and presented with a systolic blood pressure of <80 mm Hg. TAE is an effective treatment for patients with colonic diverticular hemorrhage that is refractory to endoscopic hemostasis. However, complications must be monitored carefully.

Evaluation of the Jichi Medical University diverticular hemorrhage score in the clinical management of acute diverticular bleeding with emergency or elective endoscopy: A pilot study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Emergency endoscopic hemostasis for colonic diverticular bleeding is effective in preventing serious consequences. However, the low identification rate of the bleeding source makes the procedure burdensome for both patients and providers. We aimed to establish an efficient and safe emergency endoscopy system.

METHODS

We prospectively evaluated the usefulness of a scoring system (Jichi Medical University diverticular hemorrhage score: JD score) based on our experiences with past cases. The JD score was determined using four criteria: CT evidence of contrast agent extravasation, 3 points; oral anticoagulant (any type) use, 2 points; C-reactive protein ≥1 mg/dL, 1 point; and comorbidity index ≥3, 1 point. Based on the JD score, patients with acute diverticular bleeding who underwent emergency or elective endoscopy were grouped into JD ≥3 or JD <3 groups, respectively. The primary and secondary endpoints were the bleeding source identification rate and clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

The JD ≥3 and JD <3 groups included 35 and 47 patients, respectively. The rate of bleeding source identification, followed by the hemostatic procedure, was significantly higher in the JD ≥3 group than in the JD <3 group (77% vs. 23%, p <0.001), with a higher JD score associated with a higher bleeding source identification rate. No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of clinical outcomes, except for a higher incidence of rebleeding at one-month post-discharge and a higher number of patients requiring interventional radiology in the JD ≥3 group than in the JD <3 group. Subgroup analysis showed that successful identification of the bleeding source and hemostasis contributed to a shorter hospital stay.

CONCLUSION

We established a safe and efficient endoscopic scoring system for treating colonic diverticular bleeding. The higher the JD score, the higher the bleeding source identification, leading to a successful hemostatic procedure. Elective endoscopy was possible in the JD <3 group when vital signs were stable.

Tobacco Smoking Is a Strong Predictor of Failure of Conservative Treatment in Hinchey IIa and IIb Acute Diverticulitis-A Retrospective Single-Center Cohort Study

Background and Objectives: Therapeutic management of patients with complicated acute diverticulitis remains debatable. The primary objective of this study is to identify predictive factors for the failure of conservative treatment of Hinchey IIa and IIb diverticular abscesses. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study that included patients hospitalized from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2022 at the Emergency Surgery Department of the Cagliari University Hospital (Italy), diagnosed with acute diverticulitis complicated by Hinchey grade IIa and IIb abscesses. The collected variables included the patient's baseline characteristics, clinical variables on hospital admission, abscess characteristics at the contrast-enhanced CT scan, clinical outcomes of the conservative therapy, and follow-up results. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify prognostic factors of conservative treatment failure and success. Results: Two hundred and fifty-two patients diagnosed with acute diverticulitis were identified from the database search, and once the selection criteria were applied, 71 patients were considered eligible. Conservative treatment failed in 25 cases (35.2%). Univariable analysis showed that tobacco smoking was the most significant predictor of failure of conservative treatment (p = 0.007, OR 7.33, 95%CI 1.55; 34.70). Age (p = 0.056, MD 6.96, 95%CI -0.18; 0.99), alcohol drinking (p = 0.071, OR 4.770, 95%CI 0.79; 28.70), platelets level (p = 0.087, MD -32.11, 95%CI -0.93; 0.06), Hinchey stage IIa/IIb (p = 0.081, OR 0.376, 95%CI 0.12; 1.11), the presence of retroperitoneal air bubbles (p = 0.025, OR 13.300, 95%CI 1.61; 291.0), and the presence of extraluminal free air at a distance (p = 0.043, OR 4.480, 95%CI 1.96; 20.91) were the other variables possibly associated with the risk of failure. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, only tobacco smoking was confirmed to be an independent predictor of conservative treatment failure (p = 0.006; adjusted OR 32.693; 95%CI 2.69; 397.27). Conclusion: The role of tobacco smoking as a predictor of failure of conservative therapy of diverticular abscess scenarios highlights the importance of prevention and the necessity to reduce exposure to modifiable risk factors.

Colonic Diverticulitis Location Affects the Diagnostic Accuracy of Point-of-Care Ultrasound: A Multicenter, 10-Year Study

OBJECTIVE

Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) has high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing uncomplicated colonic diverticulitis in Western patients. Evidence regarding the accuracy of PoCUS in Asian patients in which diverticulitis frequently occurs in the right-side colon is lacking. This multicenter, 10-y study was aimed at evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of PoCUS in various locations of uncomplicated diverticulitis among Asians.

METHODS

A convenience sample of patients with suspected colonic diverticulitis who had undergone computed tomography (CT) were eligible. Patients undergoing PoCUS before CT were included. The primary outcome was the diagnostic accuracy of PoCUS in the various locations, compared with the final diagnosis made by the expert physicians. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were computed. The logistic regression model was used to investigate the possible factors related to the accuracy of PoCUS.

RESULTS

A total of 326 patients were included. The overall accuracy of PoCUS was 92% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 89.1%-95.0%) and was lower in the cecum (84.3%, 95% CI: 77.8%-90.8%), compared with other locations (p < 0.0001). Nine of 10 false positives had the final diagnosis of appendicitis: 5 had an outpouching structure whose origin in the cecum could not be traced and 4 had elongated "diverticula." Moreover, body mass index was negatively associated with the accuracy of PoCUS in cecal diverticulitis (odds ratio: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.64-0.97) after adjusting for other covariates.

CONCLUSION

Point-of-care ultrasound exhibits high diagnostic accuracy in diagnosing uncomplicated diverticulitis in the Asian population. However, the accuracy varies according to location, and was relatively low in the cecum.

Colonic diverticular disease: clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention Clinical guidelines of the Russian Scientific Medical Society of Internal Medicine, the Gastroenterological Scientific Society of Russia, and the North- West Society of Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists

   Clinical guidelines are intended for gastroenterologists, internists, and general practitioners and focus primarily on the management of patients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease, as well as on the primary and secondary prevention of acute diverticulitis and other complications of diverticular disease. Clinical guidelines were developed by the Russian Scientific Medical Society of Internal Medicine, the Gastroenterological Scientifi c Society of Russia, and the North-West Society of Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists. One of the reasons for creating new clinical guidelines is that the current guidelines on diverticular disease (2021) pay much more attention to complications of diverticular disease and surgical treatment of acute and chronic complications of the disease.

Colonic diverticular disease: clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention Clinical guidelines of the Russian Scientific Medical Society of Internal Medicine, the Gastroenterological Scientific Society of Russia, and the North- West Society of Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists

   Clinical guidelines are intended for gastroenterologists, internists, and general practitioners and focus primarily on the management of patients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease, as well as on the primary and secondary prevention of acute diverticulitis and other complications of diverticular disease. Clinical guidelines were developed by the Russian Scientific Medical Society of Internal Medicine, the Gastroenterological Scientifi c Society of Russia, and the North-West Society of Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists. One of the reasons for creating new clinical guidelines is that the current guidelines on diverticular disease (2021) pay much more attention to complications of diverticular disease and surgical treatment of acute and chronic complications of the disease.

Utility of monocyte distribution width in the differential diagnosis between simple and complicated diverticulitis: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Colonic diverticulitis is a leading cause of abdominal pain. The monocyte distribution width (MDW) is a novel inflammatory biomarker with prognostic significance for coronavirus disease and pancreatitis; however, no study has assessed its correlation with the severity of colonic diverticulitis.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective cohort study included patients older than 18 years who presented to the emergency department between November 1, 2020, and May 31, 2021, and received a diagnosis of acute colonic diverticulitis after abdominal computed tomography. The characteristics and laboratory parameters of patients with simple versus complicated diverticulitis were compared. The significance of categorical data was assessed using the chi-square or Fisher's exact test. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for continuous variables. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of complicated colonic diverticulitis. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were used to test the efficacy of inflammatory biomarkers in distinguishing simple from complicated cases.

RESULTS

Of the 160 patients enrolled, 21 (13.125%) had complicated diverticulitis. Although right-sided was more prevalent than left-sided colonic diverticulitis (70% versus 30%), complicated diverticulitis was more common in those with left-sided colonic diverticulitis (61.905%, p = 0.001). Age, white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil count, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and MDW were significantly higher in the complicated diverticulitis group (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that the left-sided location and the MDW were significant and independent predictors of complicated diverticulitis. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was as follows: MDW, 0.870 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.784-0.956); CRP, 0.800 (95% CI, 0.707-0.892); NLR, 0.724 (95% CI, 0.616-0.832); PLR, 0.662 (95% CI, 0.525-0.798); and WBC, 0.679 (95% CI, 0.563-0.795). When the MDW cutoff was 20.38, the sensitivity and specificity were maximized to 90.5% and 80.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

A large MDW was a significant and independent predictor of complicated diverticulitis. The optimal cutoff value for MDW is 20.38 as it exhibits maximum sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing between simple and complicated diverticulitis The MDW may aid in planning antibiotic therapy for patients with colonic diverticulitis in the emergency department.

Birth weight, childhood body mass index, and risk of diverticular disease in adulthood

OBJECTIVE

Adult overweight is associated with increased risk of diverticular disease (DD). We investigated associations between birthweight and childhood body mass index (BMI) and DD.

METHODS

Cohort study of 346,586 persons born during 1930-1996 with records in the Copenhagen School Health Records Register. Data included birthweight, and height and weight from ages 7 through 13. We used Cox proportional hazard regression to examine associations between birthweight and BMI z-scores and DD registered in the Danish National Patient Registry. Due to non-proportionality, we followed participants from age 18-49 and from age 50.

RESULTS

During follow-up, 5459 (3.2%) women and 4429 (2.5%) men had DD. For low and high BMI in childhood, we observed a higher risk of DD before age 50. Among women with z-scores <0 at age 13, the hazard ratio (HR) was 1.16 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.98-1.39] per one-point lower z-score. For z-scores ≥0 at age 13, the HR was 1.30 (95% CI: 1.11-1.51) per one-point higher z-score. Among men with z-scores <0 at age 13, the HR was 1.02 (95% CI: 0.85-1.22). For z-scores ≥0 at age 13, the HR was 1.54 (95% CI: 1.34-1.78). Z-scores ≥0 were not associated with DD after age 50. Among women only, birthweight was inversely associated with DD before age 50 [HR = 0.90 (95% CI: 0.83-0.99) per 500 g higher birthweight].

CONCLUSION

BMI z-scores below and above zero in childhood were associated with higher risk of DD before age 50. In addition, we observed lower risk of DD among women, the higher their birthweight.

Clinical Factors Associated with Severity of Colonic Diverticular Bleeding and Impact of Bleeding Site

Factors associated with serious colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB) are unclear, although the incidence of CDB has increased. We carried out this study to clarify factors associated with serious CDB and rebleeding. Subjects included 329 consecutive patients hospitalized for confirmed or suspected CDB between 2004 and 2021. Patients were surveyed regarding backgrounds, treatment, and clinical course. Of 152 with confirmed CDB, 112 showed bleeding from the right colon, and 40 did from the left colon. Patients received red blood cell transfusions in 157 (47.7%), interventional radiology in 13 (4.0%), and surgery in 6 (1.8%) cases. Early rebleeding within one month occurred in 75 (22.8%) patients, and late rebleeding within one year occurred in 62 (18.8%). Factors associated with red blood cell transfusion included confirmed CDB, anticoagulants, and high shock index. The only factor related to interventional radiology or surgery was confirmed CDB, which was also associated with early rebleeding. Late rebleeding was associated with hypertension, chronic kidney disease and past CDB. Right CDB showed higher rates of transfusion and invasive treatment than left CDB. Confirmed CDB had high frequencies of transfusion, invasive treatment, and early rebleeding. Right CDB seemed to be a risk for serious disease. Factors related to late rebleeding were different from those related to early rebleeding of CDB.

Diverticular Disease and Rifaximin: An Evidence-Based Review

There have been considerable advances in the treatment of diverticular disease in recent years. Antibiotics are frequently used to treat symptoms and prevent complications. Rifaximin, a non-absorbable antibiotic, is a common therapeutic choice for symptomatic diverticular disease in various countries, including Italy. Because of its low systemic absorption and high concentration in stools, it is an excellent medicine for targeting the gastrointestinal tract, where it has a beneficial effect in addition to its antibacterial properties. Current evidence shows that cyclical rifaximin usage in conjunction with a high-fiber diet is safe and effective for treating symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease, while the cost-effectiveness of long-term treatment is unknown. The use of rifaximin to prevent recurrent diverticulitis is promising, but further studies are needed to confirm its therapeutic benefit. Unfortunately, there is no available evidence on the efficacy of rifaximin treatment for acute uncomplicated diverticulitis.

The Characteristics of Diverticular Disease in Caribbean Population: A Control Group Study

BACKGROUND

Diverticulosis is not well characterized in the Caribbeans. Our aim was to compare the anatomical presentation of colonic diverticulosis in African Caribbeans (group AC) versus Europeans (group E) and severity.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective controlled study involving 274 patients admitted for lower gastrointestinal haemorrhage (LGIH) in France (center 1: Guadeloupe; center 2: La Roche-sur-Yon); 179 cases with diverticular haemorrhage, including 129 in group AC and 40 in group E. Exploration of the colon included a detailed assessment of diverticula using a dedicated endoscopic grid.

RESULTS

AC and E had similar characteristics in terms of age, gender, previous history of LGIH, body mass index, dietary habits, and medications, but AC had significantly poorer hemodynamic parameters at admission and required more blood transfusions (66.7% vs. 42.5%; p=0.01) during hospitalization. Out of the 169 patients included in the study, a complete exploration of the colon was achieved in 81% (N = 137) (AC, n = 106; E, n = 31), and revealed right-side diverticulosis in AC (in 90.6%, included into a pancolonic form in 73.6% vs. 35.5%; p=0.0002) and left-side diverticulosis in E (in 96.8%, isolated form in 58.1% vs. 9.4%, p=0.0002). These data were confirmed by a sensitivity analysis using an endoscopic grid in 92 patients, achieving a higher frequency and larger size of diverticula in AC.

CONCLUSION

Our study has shown that diverticulosis was pancolonic in AC and more frequently associated with more severe haemorrhage than the left-sided diverticulosis of Europeans. This anatomical presentation may be driven by the genetic background more than the environment and diet.

Protective effects of amoxicillin and probiotics on colon disorders in an experimental model of acute diverticulitis disease

Acute diverticulitis disease is associated with inflammation and infection in the colon diverticula and may lead to severe morbidity. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the protective effects of amoxicillin antibiotic, either alone or in combination with probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis), in a rat model of acute diverticulitis disease. Acute diverticulitis was induced, in albino rats, by adding 3% weight/volume of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to the rats’ drinking water; daily for 7 days, in addition to injecting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) enema (4 mg/kg). The impact of treatments was assessed by measuring the physiological and immunological parameters and evaluating colon macroscopic and microscopic lesions. The results showed that both treatments (especially probiotics with amoxicillin) alleviated the adverse effects of DSS and LPS. This was obvious through the modulation of the rats’ body weight and the colon weight-to-length ratio. Also, there was a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in the colon macroscopic lesion score. The pro-inflammatory cytokines [(TNF)-α, (IL)-1β, (IFN)-γ, and (IL)-18]; in the colon tissue; were significantly (p < 0.001) decreased. Also, both treatments significantly ameliorated the elevation of myeloperoxidase activity and C-reactive protein levels, in addition to improving the histopathological alterations in the colon tissue. In conclusion, amoxicillin and probiotics–amoxicillin were effective in preventing the development of experimentally induced acute diverticulitis, through their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Furthermore, this study has explored the role of probiotics in preventing DSS/LPS-induced acute diverticulitis, so it can be applied as a promising treatment option for acute diverticulitis disease.

A comparative analysis of factors influencing colorectal cancer’s age standardized mortality ratio among Korean women in the hot and cold spots

The study aimed at exploring factors that most influence colorectal cancer (CRC) age standardized mortality ratio (ASMR) among Korean women, as reported in previous studies. The factors used the data of 250 municipalities from the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS) from 2010 to 2018. In the exploratory survey, over 70% of women aged 65 and above died of colorectal cancer. After investigating the existing literature and theories, 250 regions were classified into hot and cold spots according to age standardized mortality ratio (ASMR). The Nearest Neighbor Index (NNI), Moran’s I index and The Durbin-Watson test were also utilized. The ASMR’s regional cluster analysis showed that the inland areas were the hot spots and the cold spots were in the southwest coastal areas. The result also showed the differences in dwellers’ lifestyles between these two regions as well as the mean difference between the two. In addition, there was no significant difference in ASMR for breast cancer, CRC deaths, and agricultural product shipments between the two regions. In the multiple regression model, CRC mortality, diabetes, and CRC age standardized incidence ratio (ASIR) were analyzed as major influencing factors, demonstrated a significant result with 30.6% by examining the adjusted R-squared. However, this study showed that factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, abdominal obesity, breast cancer, and food consumption indicated to have less influence on the occurrence of CRC. The aging rate, amount of food consumption, seafood production, livestock product shipments, and drinking rate were higher in the cold spot than in the hot spot.

Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Incidental Colonic Diverticulosis

INTRODUCTION

The true prevalence and pathogenesis of diverticulosis is poorly understood. Risk factors for diverticulosis are presently unclear, with most clinicians attributing its development to years of chronic constipation. Previous studies have been limited by their failure to include young, ethnically diverse patient populations.

METHODS

Patients who presented to the emergency department of our hospital from January-September 2019 and underwent abdominal computerized tomography (CT) scan for the evaluation of appendicitis were included. CT's were reviewed for the presence of diverticulosis. Risk factors for diverticulosis were determined for two age groups: >40 and ≤ 40.

RESULTS

A total of 359 patients were included in the study. The median age was 38.57.1% were male. 81.6% were Hispanic. 43.5% had colonic diverticulosis on CT. 198 patients (55.1%) were ≤ age 40. The rate of diverticulosis in this group was 35.3% (n = 70). Those with diverticulosis were not significantly older (median age 29 versus 27, P = 0.061) but had a higher median body mass index (BMI) (28.4 versus 25.3, P = 0.003) compared to those without diverticulosis. On multivariate analysis, no characteristics were associated with the presence of diverticulosis for this group. Over age 40, 53.4% of patients (n = 86) had diverticulosis. Patients with diverticulosis were more likely to be Hispanic (95.3% versus 73.3%, P ≤ 0.001), less likely to be Asian (2.4% versus 16.0%, P = 0.004), had a higher median BMI (28.7 versus 25.5, P ≤ 0.001), and were more likely to use alcohol (30.2% versus 14.7%, P = 0.024) than those without diverticulosis. On multivariate analysis, characteristics associated with the presence of diverticulosis were BMI >30 (odds ratio OR 2.22, 95% confidence interval CI 1.03-4.80), Hispanic ethnicity (OR 10.05, 95% CI 1.74-58.26), and alcohol use (OR 3.44, 95% CI 1.26-9.39).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a higher rate of asymptomatic diverticulosis in the <40 cohort than previously reported in the literature. Obesity, alcohol use, and Hispanic ethnicity were associated with the presence of diverticulosis in patients > age 40, but no risk factors for diverticulosis were identified for patients ≤ age 40, suggesting that diverticular pathogenesis may differ by age. Constipation was not a risk factor for diverticulosis in either age group. The data regarding the prevalence of diverticulosis in Hispanic patients is lacking and should be the focus of future inquiry.

Association between serum uric acid levels and colonic diverticulosis in terms of sex

Background

The association between elevated serum uric acid (UA) levels and the risk of developing colonic diverticulosis has not yet been investigated. Thus, this cross-sectional study aimed to examine this correlation in individuals from Taiwan.

Methods

From Jan. 1, 2010, to Dec. 31, 2016., approximately 5,605 patients (aged >20 years) from Tri-Service General Hospital who met the inclusion criteria according to colonoscopy and laboratory test findings were included in this research. The correlation between serum UA levels and colonic diverticulosis was investigated via regression analyses.

Results

Participants with elevated serum UA levels were at a higher risk of colonic diverticulosis. The area under the curve for serum UA levels was significantly higher in women than in men (0.651 [95% confidence interval: 0.596–0.707] vs. 0.55 [0.507–0.593]). There were specific trends in female-specific indicators for colonic diverticulosis across increasing quartiles of serum UA levels.

Conclusions

Patients with elevated serum UA levels should be cautious regarding the development of colonic diverticulosis disorder in female. Moreover, prospective studies may provide additional information on the relationship between elevated serum UA levels and colonic diverticulosis.

[Diagnosis and Treatment of Colonic Diverticular Disease]

Colonic diverticulosis is one of the most common conditions of the digestive system and patients generally remain asymptomatic. However, about 20% of patients develop symptomatic diverticular disease such as acute diverticulitis or diverticular hemorrhage, and these have become a huge burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Recent understanding of the pathophysiology of diverticulosis and diverticular disease suggests the role of multiple factors including genetic and environment. Based on this understanding, a preventive strategy to reduce the risk factors of diverticulosis and diverticular disease is highly recommended. The diagnosis of the acute diverticulitis relies on imaging modalities such as an abdominal-pelvic CT scan together with symptoms and signs. Treatment of diverticular disease should be individualized and include modification of lifestyle, use of antibiotics, and surgery. Recent guidelines recommend pursuing less aggressive treatment for patients with acute diverticulitis. This review will provide an overview of both the existing and evolving understanding regarding colonic diverticulosis and diverticular disease and can help clinicians in the management of their patients with diverticular disease.

Pathophysiology of Diverticular Disease: From Diverticula Formation to Symptom Generation

Diverticular disease is a common clinical problem, particularly in industrialized countries. In most cases, colonic diverticula remain asymptomatic throughout life and sometimes are found incidentally during colonic imaging in colorectal cancer screening programs in otherwise healthy subjects. Nonetheless, roughly 25% of patients bearing colonic diverticula develop clinical manifestations. Abdominal symptoms associated with diverticula in the absence of inflammation or complications are termed symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD). The pathophysiology of diverticular disease as well as the mechanisms involved in the shift from an asymptomatic condition to a symptomatic one is still poorly understood. It is accepted that both genetic factors and environment, as well as intestinal microenvironment alterations, have a role in diverticula development and in the different phenotypic expressions of diverticular disease. In the present review, we will summarize the up-to-date knowledge on the pathophysiology of diverticula and their different clinical setting, including diverticulosis and SUDD.

Ascending colon stenosis caused by repeated diverticulitis that clinically mimicked advanced colon cancer: A case report

Introduction

Presentation of case

Discussion

Conclusion

•

Most cases of large bowel obstruction (LBO) are caused by cancer.

•

Right-sided LBO of the colon due to chronic diverticulitis is rare.

•

Definitive interval surgery leads to better outcomes and reduces perioperative complications.

Acute Diverticulitis in Young Patients: A Review of the Changing Epidemiology and Etiology

Acute diverticulitis is one of the leading gastrointestinal causes for hospitalization. The incidence of acute diverticulitis has been increasing in recent years, especially in patients under 50 years old. Historically, acute diverticulitis in younger patients was felt to represent a separate entity, being more virulent and associated with a higher rate of recurrence. Accordingly, young patients were often managed differently to older counterparts. Our understanding of the natural history of this condition has evolved, and current clinical practice guidelines suggest age should not alter management. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the changing epidemiology of acute diverticulitis, consider potential explanations for the observed increased incidence in younger patients, as well as review the natural history of acute diverticulitis in the younger population.

Percentage of body fat is associated with increased risk of diverticulosis: A cross sectional study

Background

Obesity has been indicated to be a risk factor of diverticulosis. However, plausible relationship remained controversial. This cross-sectional study elucidated the association between percentage of body fat and the risk of diverticulosis.

Methods

The study was conducted at a single medical center in Taiwan from 2000–2016 which enrolled 5557 adults with age above 20 years old receiving a health examination including self-reported questionnaires, measurement of percentage of body fat (PBF), blood test and colonoscopy at the Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH). Logistic regressions were used to analyze the association between PBF and diverticulosis. Further stratification of participants was based on age and gender and three extended models were established for multivariable adjustment.

Results

243 of 3141 males and 103 of 2416 females were diagnosed with having diverticulosis. After covariates adjustment, only participants in the highest quartile of PBF (Q4 ≥33.8%) showed significantly positive association with the risk diverticulosis (OR 2.089, p <0.001). In subgroup analysis, the odds ratio for having diverticulosis in females was significantly higher than in males. In addition, We found that the odds ratio of having diverticulosis was higher in the group older than 60 years old compared to the younger group (OR 1.052; p<0.001; OR 1.043; p<0.001).

Conclusions

In conclusion, PBF was a potential risk factor of diverticulosis. Individuals with higher PBF exhibits increased risk of diverticulosis, especially in females. Furthermore, bioelectrical impedance analysis may create a simple, available and radiation-free way to assess the risk of diverticulosis.

Risk factors for short-term re-bleeding in patients with colonic diverticular bleeding: a multicenter retrospective study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Few studies have evaluated risk factors for short-term re-bleeding in patients with colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB). We aimed to reveal risk factors for re-bleeding within a month in patients with CDB.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed clinical course of patients with CDB diagnosed at 10 institutions between 2015 and 2019. Risk factors for re-bleeding within a month were assessed by Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Among 370 patients, 173 (47%) patients had been under the use of antithrombotic agents (ATs) and 34 (9%) experienced re-bleeding within a month. Multivariate analysis revealed that the use of ATs was an independent risk factor for re-bleeding within a month (HR 2.38, 95% CI 1.10-5.50, p = .028). Furthermore, use of multiple ATs and continuation of ATs were found to be independent risk factors for re-bleeding within a month (HR 3.88, 95% CI 1.49-10.00, p = .007 and HR 3.30, 95% CI 1.23-8.63, p = .019, respectively). Two of 370 patients, who discontinued ATs, developed thromboembolic event.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of ATs was an independent risk factor for short-term re-bleeding within a month in patients with CDB. This was especially the case for the use of multiple ATs and continuation of ATs. However, discontinuation of ATs may increase the thromboembolic events those patients.

Age, alcohol, sex, and metabolic factors as risk factors for colonic diverticulosis

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of colonic diverticulosis is not well understood. Moreover, only a few studies on colonic diverticulosis have been reported in mainland China.

AIM

To evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors for asymptomatic colorectal diverticulosis in Eastern China.

METHODS

From August 2016 to July 2020, 6180 asymptomatic individuals were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. These individuals had undergone physical examinations, laboratory testing, and colonoscopy. Data regarding the baseline characteristics and their general health status were obtained through interviews.

RESULTS

The prevalence of colonic diverticulosis was 7.3% (449/6180). Colonic diverticulosis was detected predominantly on the right side of the colon (88.4%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that an age ≥ 60 years (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.149, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.511-3.057, P < 0.001), male sex (adjusted OR: 1.878, 95%CI: 1.373-2.568, P < 0.001), obesity (adjusted OR: 1.446, 95%CI: 1.100-1.902, P = 0.008), alcohol intake (adjusted OR: 1.518, 95%CI: 1.213-1.901, P < 0.001), hypertension (adjusted OR: 1.454, 95%CI: 1.181-1.789, P < 0.001), hypertriglyceridemia (adjusted OR: 1.287, 95%CI: 1.032-1.607, P = 0.025), and hyperuricemia (adjusted OR: 1.570, 95%CI: 1.257-1.961, P < 0.001) significantly increased the risk of colonic diverticulosis.

CONCLUSION

Advanced age, male sex, alcohol intake, obesity, and other metabolic-related factors, such as hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperuricemia, were independent risk factors for colonic diverticulosis. Understanding the true prevalence of colonic diverticulosis and its associated risk factors will aid in its prevention and treatment.

Updates in the understanding and management of diverticular disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Diverticulosis leads to significant morbidity and mortality and is increasing in prevalence worldwide. In this paper, we review the clinical features, diagnosis, and management of diverticular disorders, followed by a discussion of recent updates and changes in the clinical approach to diverticular disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent literature suggests that antibiotics are likely not necessary for low-risk patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis, and not all patients with recurrent diverticulitis require colectomy. Dietary restrictions do not prevent recurrent diverticulitis. Visceral hypersensitivity is increasingly being recognized as a cause of persistent abdominal pain after acute diverticulitis and should be considered along with chronic smoldering diverticulitis, segmental colitis associated with diverticula, and symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease.

SUMMARY

Clinicians should be aware that traditionally held assumptions regarding the prevention and management of diverticular disorders have recently been called into question and should adjust their clinical practice accordingly.

Chronic constipation is negatively associated with colonic diverticula

OBJECTIVES

Constipation has been considered the key risk factor for diverticulosis occurrence, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. We investigated the factors associated with diverticulosis, focusing on the association of constipation severity with the localization and number of diverticula.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed consecutive patients who underwent colonoscopy between March and December 2019. Chronic constipation was diagnosed as constipation meeting Rome IV criteria or as that requiring laxative therapy for more than 6 months. The degree of constipation was scored using the Constipation Scoring System (CSS).

RESULTS

We assessed 1014 patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, alcohol consumption, and hypertension were positively associated with diverticulosis, whereas chronic constipation was negatively associated with diverticulosis (odds ratio [OR] = 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55-0.99). When assessed according to the location of diverticula, right-sided diverticula were significantly associated with a lower incidence of constipation (OR = 0.94; 95% CI, 0.89-0.98), whereas neither left-sided nor bilateral diverticula was associated with constipation. This negative association of diverticula with constipation was stronger in patients with a high CSS score. In stratified analysis, the number of diverticula decreased with increasing degree of constipation (p for trend <.01), and a high CSS score was associated with a decreased prevalence of ≥3 diverticula (OR = 0.64; 95% CI, 0.44-0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic constipation was negatively associated with colonic diverticulosis. The association increased with the degree of constipation and was strong only in cases with right-sided diverticula and those with ≥3 diverticula.

Excessive Body Weight and Diverticular Disease

BACKGROUND

The worldwide proportion of overweight adults almost doubled from 22% in 1975 to 39% in 2016. Comparably, for the USA and Germany in 2016, the proportion was 68 and 56.8%, respectively. In Olmsted County, Minnesota, the prevalence of diverticulitis also doubled between 1980 and 2007, from 19 to 40%. Obesity substantially increases the risk of multiple gastrointestinal (GI) diseases and non-GI diseases. In a narrative review, we examined the evidence on whether obesity also increases the risk for the development of diverticulosis or diverticular disease and its outcome.

SUMMARY

Evidence suggests that being overweight (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2) or obese (≥30 kg/m2), especially viscerally obese, is a risk factor for diverticulosis, diverticular disease and diverticulitis, diverticular bleeding, more severe or complicated disease, recurrent disease, and for worse outcomes after surgery.

KEY MESSAGES

There is a well-founded association between overweight and diverticular disease as well as diverticulosis. It is not clear whether overweight per se or confounders linked with it are responsible for the association. However, means to fight the overweight and obesity epidemic might also help to reduce the prevalence of morbidity and mortality from diverticular disease.

Recent trends in the prevalence and distribution of colonic diverticula in Japan evaluated using computed tomography colonography

BACKGROUND

Computed tomography colonography (CTC) may be superior to colonoscopy and barium enema for detecting diverticula. However, few studies have used CTC to diagnose diverticula.

AIM

To evaluate the current prevalence and distribution of colonic diverticula in Japan using CTC.

METHODS

This study was conducted as part of the Japanese National Computed Tomographic Colonography Trial, which included 1181 participants from 14 hospitals in Japan. We analyzed the prevalence and distribution of colonic diverticula and their relationships with age and sex. The relationship between the diverticula and the length of the large intestine was also analyzed.

RESULTS

Diverticulosis was present in 48.1% of the participants. The prevalence of diverticulosis was higher in the older participants (P < 0.001 for trend). The diverticula seen in younger participants were predominantly located in the right-sided colon. Older participants had a higher frequency of bilateral type (located in the right- and left-sided colon) diverticulosis (P < 0.001 for trend). The length of the large intestine with multiple diverticula in the sigmoid colon was significantly shorter in those without diverticula (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of colonic diverticulosis in Japan is higher than that previously reported. The prevalence was higher, and the distribution tended to be bilateral in older participants.

Right-sided diverticulosis is an independent risk factor for bleeding in patients admitted for diverticular disease

BACKGROUND

Diverticular bleeding is the main cause of lower gastrointestinal bleeding in both Eastern and Western countries. Several risk factors have been identified, such as comorbidities and concomitant medications. In Eastern population, the prevalence of right-side diverticulosis is higher than in Western one, and some Authors identified bilateral diverticulosis as a risk factor for bleeding.

AIMS

To identify risk factors for diverticular bleeding in patients admitted for diverticular disease (DD).

METHODS

All patients admitted for DD from January 2017 to December 2018 were retrieved from the hospital Information System. For each patient, age, gender, clinical presentation and concomitant medication were recorded. All patient underwent imaging assessment (computed tomography, ultrasound or MRI) and colonoscopy during hospitalization or within one month.

RESULTS

Among 1248 patients discharged with a diagnosis of DD during the study period, 293 (52.2% male, median age 75 years) were finally analyzed; of them, 105 (35.8%) for diverticular bleeding. On multivariate analysis, male gender (OR 4.27), age (OR 1.12), anti-thrombotic medications (OR 2.60) and right-sided DD (OR 5.70) were independently correlated to diverticular bleeding.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides evidence that, together with age, male gender and concomitant anti-thrombotic treatment, right-sided DD represents an independent risk factor for bleeding.

Relationship between colonic diverticulosis and colon neoplasms in Japanese patients

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Colonic diverticulosis (CD) has been reported to be associated with presence of colon neoplasms (CNs) in Western patients, since most of the associated risk factors are common between them. However, such correlation has not been fully investigated in Asian patients. In this study, the association of CNs with CD was evaluated in a multicenter investigation.

METHODS

We enrolled 5633 patients who underwent both colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy due to annual follow-up, screening for positive occult blood testing and abdominal symptoms between January 2016 and December 2017 at three institutions. The relationship between the presence of CNs and CD was investigated, and predictors for presence of CNs were determined by multivariate logistic analysis.

RESULTS

The enrolled patients consisted of 1799 (31.9%) with CD (average age 70.0 years, male 64.0%) and 3834 without CD (66.0 years, male 52.9%), with the prevalence of CNs in those groups 46.6% and 44.2%, respectively (P = 0.090). Predictors for early colon cancer were shown to be age (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.04, P = 0.010), laxatives use (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.17-2.64, P = 0.007), gastric neoplasms (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.23-3.81, P = 0.008), and CD (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.16-2.31, P = 0.005). Early colon cancer in the distal colon was most frequently detected in patients with right-sided CD (RR 2.50, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In Japanese patients, early colon cancer was more frequently found in those with as compared to those without CD. The presence of CD may be an important indicator for an index colonoscopy examination to detect colon cancer. (Clinical-trial-registry: UMIN000038985).

Rising prevalence of colonic diverticulosis in a westernized multi-ethnic Asian community

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Singapore is a multi-ethnic country that has undergone rapid development over the last few decades, with increasing influence of western culture, and faces an aging population. Previously, a varying prevalence of colonic diverticulosis (CD) was reported by a few small studies. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of CD in Singapore and identify associations with common gastrointestinal symptoms and risk factors.

METHODS

We reviewed retrospective data of 20 395 consecutive colonoscopies performed from 2006 to 2016 for presence of CD and indications of screening, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain.

RESULTS

The prevalence of CD progressively increased from 2006 to 2016 (14.9% vs 23.9%, adjusted trend < 0.001), with an overall prevalence of 19.6%. Patients with CD were older and had higher body mass index (BMI). CD was significantly more prevalent in Chinese compared with Malay and Indian races (20.5% vs 18.9% vs 15.5%, P < 0.05), and in male patients compared with female patients (21.5% vs 17.6%, P < 0.05). Right-sided CD was more common than left-sided or pan diverticulosis (16.2% vs 8.3% vs 4.8%, P < 0.05). Age [odds ratio (OR), 1.060; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.052-1.068], BMI (OR, 1.051; 95% CI, 1.028-1.075), male gender (OR, 1.317; 95% CI, 1.084-1.600), and abdominal pain (OR, 1.409; 95% CI, 1.168-1.699) were positively associated, while constipation (OR, 0.566; 95% CI, 0.452-0.709) was negatively associated with CD.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of CD in Singapore has progressively increased over the last decade and is associated with older age, higher BMI, and abdominal pain. These findings may provide insights for healthcare resource planning in the region.

Colon Capsule Endoscopy in Detecting Colonic Diverticula in a Japanese Population

Objective

The assessment of colonic diverticula with colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) in a Japanese population provided unclear results. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed a cohort of Japanese patients who had undergone CCE to assess its safety and usefulness in the diagnosis of colonic diverticula.

Methods

In this study, 175 consecutive Japanese patients who had their entire colon observed via CCE from November 2013 to July 2018 were included. Patients were retrospectively stratified according to age, gender, colonic segment, and symptoms involvement. A multivariable regression analysis was performed to investigate the presence of any correlation among variables. The safety of CCE was assessed in terms of the incidence of adverse events (AEs).

Results

Colonic diverticula were observed in 42.3% of all cases; of those; 36.5% were right-sided, 31.1% were left-sided, and 32.4% were bilateral. Moreover, one to two colonic diverticula were observed in 35.1%, while three or more diverticula were seen in 64.9%. Multivariable analysis showed that age (≥70 years) was positively associated with colonic diverticula, while male gender and the presence of colonic polyps were negatively associated with colonic diverticula. No correlation was found between colonic diverticula and symptoms. There was no significant difference between groups with and without colonic diverticula in the incidence of AEs. AEs were mild in severity, with no severe AE-related bowel preparation and capsule ingestion reported.

Conclusion

CCE was well-tolerated by the participants, and the incidence of colonic diverticula was 42.3%, with one to two and three or more diverticula being found in 35.1% and 64.9%, respectively. There was little difference in the frequency of colonic diverticula formation on the right side, left side, and on both sides. Age was a positive association factor, while male gender and the presence of colorectal polyps were negative association factors. No correlation was found between diverticula and symptoms.

Risk factors for endoscopic severity of diverticular disease of the colon and its outcome: a real-life case-control study

BACKGROUND

Diverticular disease is an increasing global problem.

AIMS

To assess the factors associated with the severity of diverticular disease and its outcome, analyzing a real-life population.

METHODS

A cohort of patients, submitted to colonoscopy from 1 January 2012 to 30 April 2018 was revised. The endoscopic severity of diverticular disease was scored according to the Diverticular Inflammation and Complications Assessment (DICA) classification.

RESULTS

A cohort of 11 086 patients was identified during the study period, 5635 with diverticulitis and 5451 without diverticulosis. Blood hypertension, diabetes and angiotensin receptor blocker users occurred more frequently in the study group, while the prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) was significantly lower. Age >70 years, BMI >30 and blood hypertension were factors independently related to the presence of diverticulosis, while diabetes and CRC were significantly associated with the absence of diverticulosis. Female sex, age, smoke, appendectomy, proton-pump inhibitors and acetyl-salicylic acid use were directly related to the severity of diverticular disease, while CRC and colonic polyp occurrence were inversely related to the severity of diverticular disease, significantly. Female sex, age >70 years and smoke were significantly related to the severity of diverticular disease. CRC and colonic polyps were significantly less in DICA 3 patients. DICA 3 patients were more often symptomatic, at higher risk of hospital admission, longer hospital stay and higher mean costs.

CONCLUSIONS

Several factors are associated with the severity of diverticular disease according to the DICA classification. The DICA classification is also predictive of the outcome of the disease in terms of hospital admission, stay and costs.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Diverticular Disease and its Association with Adipose Tissue Compartments and Constitutional Risk Factors in Subjects from a Western General Population

PURPOSE

 To determine the association of asymptomatic diverticular disease as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with adipose tissue compartments, hepatic steatosis and constitutional risk factors within a cohort drawn from a Western general population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 Asymptomatic subjects enrolled in a prospective case-control study underwent a 3 Tesla MRI scan, including an isotropic VIBE-Dixon sequence of the entire trunk. The presence and extent of diverticular disease were categorized according to the number of diverticula in each colonic segment in a blinded fashion. The amount of visceral, subcutaneous, and total adipose tissue (VAT, SAT, and TAT) was quantified by MRI. Additionally, the degree of hepatic steatosis, indicated as hepatic proton density fat fraction (hepatic PDFF) was determined using a multi-echo T1w sequence. Constitutional cardiometabolic risk factors were obtained and univariate and multivariate associations were calculated.

RESULTS

 A total of 371 subjects were included in the analysis (58.2 % male, 56.2 ± 9.2 years). Based on MRI, 154 participants (41.5 %) had diverticular disease with 62 cases (17 %) being advanced diverticular disease. Subjects with advanced diverticular disease had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) (BMI: 29.9 ± 5.1 vs. 27.5 ± 4.6, p < 0.001; respectively). Furthermore, all adipose tissue compartments were increased in subjects with advanced diverticular disease (e. g. VAT: 6.0 ± 2.8 vs. 4.2 ± 2.6 and SAT: 9.2 ± 3.6 vs. 7.8 ± 3.6, all p < 0.001, respectively). Similarly, subjects with advanced diverticular disease had significantly higher hepatic PDFF (4.9 [2.7, 11.4] vs. 6.1 [5.5, 14.6], p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

 Advanced diverticular disease is associated with an increased volume of adipose tissue compartments and BMI, which may suggest a metabolic role in disease development.

KEY POINTS

· Diverticular disease is associated with constitutional risk factors such as BMI.. · Excess of adipose tissue compartments and hepatic steatosis are associated with the prevalence of diverticular disease.. · Our results suggest a shared pathological pathway of cardiometabolic alterations and the prevalence of diverticular disease.. · MRI is feasible for the assessment of adipose tissue compartments, hepatic steatosis, and diverticular disease and allows identification of patients who are at risk but in an asymptomatic disease state..

CITATION FORMAT

· Storz C, Rospleszcz S, Askani E et al. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Diverticular Disease and its Association with Adipose Tissue Compartments and Constitutional Risk Factors in Subjects from a Western General Population. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2021; 193: 33 - 41.

Colonic Diverticular Bleeding Associated with Bowel Cleansers before Colonoscopy

To date, colonic diverticular bleeding associated with bowel cleansers has not been reported, and its endoscopic and pathological features remain largely unclear. We report a case of colonic diverticular bleeding associated with a bowel cleanser (137 g of polyethylene glycol [NIflec®]) before colonoscopy (CS). CS revealed colonic diverticular bleeding in the sigmoid colon. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the endoscopic and pathological features of colonic diverticular bleeding associated with bowel cleansing before CS.

Colonic diverticular disease

Diverticula are outpouchings of the intestinal wall and are common anatomical alterations detected in the human colon. Colonic diverticulosis (the presence of diverticula in the colon; referred to as diverticulosis) remains asymptomatic in most individuals but ~25% of individuals will develop symptomatic diverticulosis, termed colonic diverticular disease (also known as diverticular disease). Diverticular disease can range in severity from symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) to symptomatic disease with complications such as acute diverticulitis or diverticular haemorrhage. Since the early 2000s, a greater understanding of the pathophysiology of diverticulosis and diverticular disease, which encompasses genetic alterations, chronic low-grade inflammation and gut dysbiosis, has led to improvements in diagnosis and management. Diagnosis of diverticular disease relies on imaging approaches, such as ultrasonography, CT and MRI, as biomarkers alone are insufficient to establish a diagnosis despite their role in determining disease severity and progression as well as in differential diagnosis. Treatments for diverticular disease include dietary fibre, pharmacological treatments such as antibiotics (rifaximin), anti-inflammatory drugs (mesalazine) and probiotics, alone or in combination, and eventually surgery. Despite being effective in treating primary disease, their effectiveness in primary and secondary prevention of complications is still uncertain.

Colonic Diverticulosis. Is there a Genetic Component?

Diverticular disease is a common condition among the elderly, with a steady increase in prevalence over time. Also, it has a temporal, geographic, and ethnic variation in incidence and prevalence, the genetic component having only recently been studied. For many years, environmental factors were the main link to the etiology. Recent studies estimated the heritability in this disease and identified genetic variants associated with diverticulosis. The interaction between structural changes of the colonic wall, diet, lifestyle, and genetic factors results in the development of diverticular disease. The purpose of this article is to review the existing data about genetic influence in this disease.

Effectiveness of Conservative Treatment without Early Colonoscopy in Patients with Colonic Diverticular Hemorrhage

AIM

This study was aimed to clarify the effectiveness of conservative treatment without performing early colonoscopy and the indications for early colonoscopy in patients with colonic diverticular hemorrhage.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 142 participants who were urgently hospitalized due to bloody stools and were diagnosed with colonic diverticular hemorrhage between April 2012 and December 2016. At the time of hospital visit, only when both shock based on vital signs and intestinal extravasation on abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography were observed, early colonoscopy was performed within 24 hours after hospitalization. However, in other cases, patients were conservatively treated without undergoing early colonoscopy. In cases of initial treatment failure in patients with shock, interventional radiology (IVR) was performed without undergoing early colonoscopy.

RESULTS

Conservative treatment was performed in 137 (96.5%) patients, and spontaneous hemostasis was achieved in all patients. By contrast, urgent hemostasis was performed in five (3.5%) patients; three and two attained successful hemostasis via early colonoscopy and IVR, respectively. There were no significant differences between two groups in terms of early rebleeding (7.3% vs. 0%,P=0.690) and recurrent bleeding (22.7% vs. 20.0%, P=0.685). The factors associated with the cumulative recurrent bleeding rates were a previous history of colonic diverticular hemorrhage (hazard ratio 5.63, 95% confidence interval 2.68-12.0, P < 0.0001) and oral administration of thienopyridine derivative (hazard ratio 3.05, 95% confidence interval 1.23-7.53, P=0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

In this series, conservative treatment without early colonoscopy was successful in patients with colonic diverticular hemorrhage.

Epidemiology of colonic diverticula and recent advances in the management of colonic diverticular bleeding

There is the East-West paradox in prevalence and phenotype of colonic diverticula, but colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB) is the most common cause of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding worldwide. Death from CDB can occur in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities, thus the management of CDB is clinically pivotal amid the aging populations in the East and West. Colonoscopy is the key modality for managing the condition appropriately; however, conventional endoscopic hemostasis by thermal coagulation and clipping cannot achieve the expected results of preventing early rebleeding and conversion to intensive intervention by surgery or transcatheter arterial embolization. Ligation therapy by endoscopic band ligation or endoscopic detachable snare ligation has emerged recently to enable more effective hemostasis for CDB, with an early rebleeding rate of approximately 10% and very rare conversion to intensive intervention. Ligation therapy might in turn reduce long-term rebleeding rates by eliminating the target diverticulum itself. Adverse events have been reported with ligation therapy including diverticulitis of the ascending colon in less than 1% of cases and perforation of the sigmoid colon in a few cases, thus more data are necessary to verify the safety of ligation therapy. Endoscopic hemostasis is indicated only for diverticulum with stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH), but the detection rates of SRH are relatively low. Therefore, efforts to increase detection are also key for improving CDB management. Urgent colonoscopy and triage by early contrast-enhanced computed tomography may be candidates to increase detection but further data are necessary in order to make a conclusion.

Ureterocolic Fistula Secondary to Diverticulitis of the Sigmoid Colon after Laparoscopic Salpingo-Oophorectomy: A Case Report and Literature Review

Ureterocolic fistula is a rare phenomenon and cases secondary to diverticulitis are even rarer. We present a case of ureterocolic fistula secondary to diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon following laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy due to endometriomas. To our knowledge, this is the first case that occurred in a patient with gynecologic surgery.

The Trends of Complicated Acute Colonic Diverticulitis-A Systematic Review of the National Administrative Databases

Background and Objectives: The diverticular disease includes a broad spectrum of different "clinical situations" from diverticulosis to acute diverticulitis (AD), with a full spectrum of severity ranging from self-limiting infection to abscess or fistula formation to free perforation. The present work aimed to assess the burden of complicated diverticulitis through a comparative analysis of the hospitalizations based on the national administrative databases. Materials and Methods: A review of the international and national administrative databases concerning admissions for complicated AD was performed. Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. No definition of acute complicated diverticulitis was reported in any study. Complicated AD accounted for approximately 42% and 79% of the hospitalizations. The reported rates of abscess varied between 1% and 10% from all admissions for AD and 5-29% of the cases with complicated AD. An increasing temporal trend was found in one study-from 6% to 10%. The rates of diffuse peritonitis ranged from 1.6% to 10.2% of all hospitalizations and 11% and 47% of the complicated cases and were stable in the time. Conclusions: The available data precluded definitive conclusions because of the significant discrepancy between the included studies. The leading cause was the presence of heterogeneity due to coding inaccuracies in all databases, absence of ICD codes to distinguish the different type of complications, and the lack of coding data about some general conditions such as sepsis, shock, malnutrition, steroid therapy, diabetes, pulmonary, and heart failure.

Vegetarianism as a protective factor for asymptomatic colonic diverticulosis in Asians: a retrospective cross-sectional and case-control study

Background/Aims

Dietary fiber intake is considered a protective factor for diverticular disease such as diverticulitis. However, evidence for an inverse connection between dietary fiber consumption and asymptomatic colonic diverticulosis is lacking. Specifically, few studies have investigated this subject in Asians with different presentations of diverticulosis. Therefore, we assessed the protective effects of a vegetarian diet for asymptomatic colonic diverticulosis in Buddhist monks who are obligatory vegetarians for spiritual reasons compared with the general population.

Methods

A retrospective, cross-sectional, case-control study was conducted in age- and sex-matched Buddhist monks and the general population who underwent colonoscopy for screening at a Korean health promotion center from August 2005 to June 2018. We compared the prevalence of asymptomatic diverticulosis between the 2 groups using a self-administered questionnaire.

Results

In this study, a total of 1,316 individuals were included (Buddhist monks of 658 and general population of 658) with a mean age of 52.6±9.5 years. The prevalence of asymptomatic diverticulosis in Buddhist monks was lower compared with the general population (6.7% [44/658] vs. 10.8% [71/658], P=0.008). Buddhist monks had a higher rate of high body mass index (BMI) and metabolic syndrome. By a multivariate regression analysis model, a nonvegetarian diet (odds ratio [OR], 1.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21–2.72, P=0.004), old age (OR, 4.53; 95% CI, 1.36–15.12; P=0.014), male sex (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.28–2.85; P=0.002), and a high BMI (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.01–2.23; P=0.047) were independent predictors of asymptomatic diverticulosis. Moreover, a nonvegetarian diet was associated with both right-sided and left-sided diverticulosis.

Conclusions

A nonvegetarian diet may increase a risk of asymptomatic colonic diverticulosis in Asians.

Hypertension control and risk of colonic diverticulosis

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of diverticulosis has increased in our aging population, but the risk factors for diverticulosis are not fully understood. The role of hypertension in the risk of diverticulosis remains uncertain. This study investigated whether hypertension is associated with asymptomatic colorectal diverticulosis.

METHODS

This study enrolled asymptomatic patients who received a colonoscopy as part of a health check. Hypertension was defined by actual measured blood pressure. Logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between hypertension and diverticulosis. In addition, we established three logistic regression models for covariate adjustment, and further stratified patients with hypertension into three subgroups based on their type of hypertension.

RESULTS

The study group consisted of 2748 participants, including 141 participants with diverticulosis and 2607 participants without diverticulosis. After adjustments for potential covariates, the odds ratio (OR) for having diverticulosis was 1.83 (95% confidence interval, 1.21-2.75, p = 0.004) in the hypertension group compared with the group without hypertension. In subgroup analyses, hypertension without antihypertensive medication use, and hypertension despite the use of antihypertensive medication were also significantly associated with the occurrence of asymptomatic diverticulosis (OR = 1.73, p = 0.028; OR = 2.07, p = 0.013, respectively). Current normal blood pressure under antihypertensive drug therapy was not associated with diverticulosis (OR = 1.74, p = 0.092).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest a positive association between hypertension and diverticulosis. Participants with poorly controlled blood pressure were found to have a higher risk of asymptomatic diverticulosis. Our study presents epidemiologic evidence for future prevention strategies against diverticulosis.