Symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease: a critical appraisal.

INTRODUCTION: Symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) is a clinical condition included in the spectrum of symptomatic diverticular disease. The symptom profile associated with SUDD is highly heterogeneous, as there are currently discordant definitions, that encompass many clinical scenarios. AREAS COVERED: We conducted a narrative review to assess the symptom profile and diagnostic criteria of SUDD based on the available evidence. A thorough literature search was performed on PubMed following the SANRA scale. Abdominal pain, regardless of its duration and location, emerges as the cardinal symptom of SUDD, suggesting that it should be central to its diagnosis. Although abdominal bloating and changes in bowel habits are commonly reported, they do not appear to be specifically attributable to SUDD. Other issues considered are the possible overlap with irritable bowel syndrome and the identification of a subcategory of SUDD patients with chronic symptoms following an episode of acute diverticulitis. EXPERT OPINION: The future agenda should include the development of shared diagnostic criteria for SUDD, including well-defined inclusion and exclusion clinical features and symptom patterns.

Retrospective study on the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic surgery for complicated fistulizing diverticular disease in a high-volume colorectal center.

BACKGROUND: We assessed feasibility and safety of laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for complicated fistulizing diverticular disease in a tertiary care colorectal center. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study of patients undergoing sigmoidectomy for fistulizing diverticular disease between 2011 and 2021 was realized. Primary outcomes were rates of conversion to open surgery and severe postoperative morbidity at 30 days. Secondary outcomes included rates of postoperative bladder leaks on cystogram. RESULTS: Among the 104 patients, 32.7% had previous laparotomy. Laparoscopy was the initial approach in 103 (99.0%), with 6 (5.8%) conversions to laparotomy. Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ III complication rate at 30 days was 10.6%, including two (1.9%) anastomotic leaks. The median postoperative length of stay was 4.0 days. Seven (6.7%) patients underwent reoperation, six (5.8%) were readmitted, and one (0.9%) died within 30 days. Twelve (11.5%) ileostomies were created initially, and two (1.9%) were created following anastomotic leaks. At last follow-up, 101 (97.1%) patients were stoma-free. Urgent surgeries had a higher rate of severe postoperative complications. Among colovesical fistula patients (n = 73), postoperative cystograms were performed in 56.2%, identifying two out of the three bladder leaks detected on closed suction drains. No differences in postoperative outcomes occurred between groups with and without postoperative cystograms, including Foley catheter removal within seven days (73.2% vs. 90.6%, p = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic surgery for complicated fistulizing diverticulitis showed low rates of severe complications, conversions to open surgery and permanent stomas in high-volume colorectal center.

Impact of a Symbiotic Mixture on Moderate-to-severe Diverticular Disease of the Colon.

BACKGROUND: Microbial imbalance is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of Diverticular Disease (DD). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the efficacy of a symbiotic mixture (Prolactis GG Plus®) in the treatment of moderate to severe DD, scored according to the Diverticular Inflammation and Complication Assessment (DICA) classification. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted enrolling the following patients: at the first diagnosis of DD; in whom DD was diagnosed with colonoscopy and scored according to DICA classification; treated with Prolactis GG Plus® two times/daily for 2 consecutive months; in whom the severity of the abdominal pain was scored with a 10-points visual-analogue scale (VAS) at baseline and the end of follow-up; in whom fecal calprotectin (FC) was assessed at baseline and the end of follow-up as µg/g. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were identified (10 males, 14 females; 16 as DICA 2, and 8 as DICA 3). Prolactis GG Plus® decreased the severity of abdominal pain both in DICA 2 (p =0.02) and DICA 3 patients (p =0.01), while FC decreased significantly in DICA 2 (p <0.02) but not in DICA 3 (p =0.123) patients. Acute diverticulitis occurred during the follow-up in two DICA 3 patients but none DICA 2 patients. Add-on therapy was required by eight DICA 2 (50%) and six DICA 3 patients (75%). CONCLUSION: In newly diagnosed patients with DD, the symbiotic mixture Prolactis GG Plus® can be a potential treatment for moderate (DICA 2) DD as a single treatment.

Acute diverticulitis: beyond the diagnosis: predictive role of CT in assessing risk of recurrence and clinical implications in non-operative management of acute diverticulitis.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to identify CT findings that are predictive of recurrence of acute uncomplicated colonic diverticulitis, to better risk-stratify these patients for whom guidelines recommend a conservative outpatient treatment and to determine the appropriate management with an improvement of health costs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over the past year, 33 patients enrolled in an outpatient integrated care pathway (PDTA) for uncomplicated acute diverticulitis with 1-year follow-up period, without recurrence, and 33 patients referred to Emergency Department for a recurrent acute diverticulitis were included. Images of admission CT were reviewed by two radiologists and the imaging features were analyzed and compared with Chi-square and Student t tests. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were employed to identify parameters that significantly predicted recurrence in 1-year follow-up period and establish cutoff and recurrence-free rates. The maximally selected rank statistics (MSRS) were used to identify the optimal wall thickening cutoff for the prediction of recurrence. RESULTS: Patients with recurrence showed a greater mean parietal thickness compared to the group without recurrence (16 mm vs. 11.5 mm; HR 1.25, p < 0.001) and more evidence of grade 4 of peridiverticular inflammation (40% vs. 12%, p = 0.009, HR 3.44). 12-month recurrence-free rates progressively decrease with increasing thickness and inflammation. In multivariate analysis, only parietal thickness maintained its predictive power with an optimal cutpoint > 15 mm that causes a sixfold increased risk of recurrence (HR 6.22; 95% CI, 3.05-12.67; p < 0.001). Beyond thickness and peridiverticular inflammation, predictive value of early recurrence within 90 days from the 1st episode resulted also an Hinchey Ib on admission CT. CONCLUSIONS: The maximum wall thickening and the grade of peridiverticular inflammation can be considered as predictive factors of recurrence and may be helpful in selecting patients for a tailored treatment to prevent the risk of recurrence.

Gastrointestinal manifestations in Williams syndrome: A prospective analysis of an adult and pediatric cohort.

Williams syndrome (WS) is a multi-system condition caused by the deletion of 25-27 coding genes on human chromosome 7. Irritability, gastrointestinal (GI) reflux and slow growth are commonly reported in infants with WS, but less data exist regarding GI concerns in older children and adults with the condition. This study evaluates 62 individuals with WS (31 children aged 3-17, and 31 adults aged 18-62) as well as 36 pediatric and adult controls to assess current and historical rates of common GI symptoms. Data were evaluated using a regression model including age, sex, self-reported race, and diagnosis. Symptoms including food intolerance, reflux, dysphagia, choking/gagging, vomiting, constipation, bloating, diarrhea, hematochezia, rectal prolapse, abdominal pain, and weight loss are more common in those with WS relative to controls. In addition, people with WS utilize more GI medications, specialty care, procedures, and supplemental feeds. Among those with WS, symptoms were present at similar rates in children and adults, except for diverticular disease, which was not noted until adulthood. GI symptoms are frequent in people with WS and serve as a significant source of morbidity.

[Pathological changes in the muscular tissue of the colon in diverticular disease]. / Patologicheskie izmeneniya myshechnoi tkani v stenke tolstoi kishki pri divertikulyarnoi bolezni.

The high incidence of colonic diverticular disease (DD) in the general population is a serious public health problem. According to statistics, DD is among the top five most common colorectal diseases. Complicated course of DD is observed in 12-15% of patients, and in 10.7% of cases can lead to death. Algorithms and recommendations for predicting the complicated course of DD for further prevention have not been developed. OBJECTIVE: Comparative analysis of clinical data and structural characteristics of the colonic muscular tissue in patients with different course of DD and without colonic diverticula to identify morphological predictors of a complicated DD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A comparative analysis of clinical data, pathomorphological and ultrastructural changes of the colonic musculature in the surgical material from 68 patients undergoing left-sided hemicolectomy was carried out. RESULTS: The operative material of 37 patients with complicated course of DD, 19 with uncomplicated course of DD and 12 without diverticula was analyzed. In men, this disease occurs at a younger age than in women (Median age of men 49 (39.5; 61) years, women 66.5 (58; 81) years; U=178, p<0.001). It was shown that the area occupied by connective tissue fibres in the colonic musculature in patients with a complicated DD was 5 times greater (15%) than in observations with an uncomplicated DD (3%) and 50 times greater than in cases without colonic diverticula (0.3%; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates age- and sex-specific features of DD, as well as significant differences in the prevalence of fibrosis of the colonic musculature, which can be considered as a potential predictor of a complicated course of DD.

Robotic surgery versus conventional laparoscopy in sigmoid colectomy for diverticular disease-a comparison of operative trauma and cost-effectiveness: retrospective, single-center analysis.

PURPOSE: Robotic assisted surgery is an alternative, fast evolving technique for performing colorectal surgery. The primary aim of this single center analysis is to compare elective laparoscopic and robotic sigmoid colectomies for diverticular disease on the extent of operative trauma and the costs. METHODS: Retrospective analysis from our prospective clinical database to identify all consecutive patients aged ≥ 18 years who underwent elective minimally invasive left sided colectomy for diverticular disease from January 2016 until December 2020 at our tertiary referral institution. RESULTS: In total, 83 patients (31 female and 52 male) with sigmoid diverticulitis underwent elective minimally invasive sigmoid colectomy, of which 42 underwent conventional laparoscopic surgery (LS) and 41 robotic assisted surgery (RS). The mean C-reactive protein difference between the preoperative and postoperative value was significantly lower in the robotic assisted group (4,03 mg/dL) than in the laparoscopic group (7.32 mg/dL) (p = 0.030). Similarly, the robotic´s hemoglobin difference was significantly lower (p = 0.039). The first postoperative bowel movement in the LS group occurred after a mean of 2.19 days, later than after a mean of 1.63 days in the RS group (p = 0.011). An overview of overall charge revealed significantly lower total costs per operation and postoperative hospital stay for the robotic approach, 6058 € vs. 6142 € (p = 0,014) not including the acquisition and maintenance costs for both systems. CONCLUSION: Robotic colon resection for diverticular disease is cost-effective and delivers reduced intraoperative trauma with significantly lower postoperative C-reactive protein and hemoglobin drift compared to conventional laparoscopy.

Rifaximin in diverticulosis and diverticular disease: a national survey among Italian gastroenterologists and general practitioners.

The management of patients with diverticular disease remains challenging. The aim of this national survey was to assess how gastroenterologists and general practitioners use rifaximin to manage diverticulosis and diverticular disease. Members of the Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists and Endoscopists (AIGO) and the Italian Federation of General Practitioners (FIMMG) were invited to complete a 39-item online survey concerning the use of rifaximin in five clinical settings: (1) diverticulosis; (2) reducing symptoms in symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease; (3) reducing the occurrence of diverticulitis in patients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (primary prevention); (4) reducing the recurrence of diverticulitis in patients with previous attacks of diverticulitis (secondary prevention); (5) treatment of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis. A total of 1094 physicians completed the survey. Overall, 25.1%, 83.5%, 68%, 74.2%, and 63% of physicians prescribed rifaximin for the clinical settings 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. In each clinical setting, the dosage of rifaximin most frequently used was 800 mg/day, the most common duration of therapy was 7 days, and the cyclic administration of treatment (expressed in months) most frequently used was > 24 months. These results highlight that a reappraisal of the use of rifaximin in patients with diverticulosis and diverticular disease is required to reduce the gap between the evidence available and the daily clinical practice, optimizing also the use of healthcare resources.

The Assessment of Knowledge, Awareness and Practice Regarding Diverticulitis and Its Risk Factors Among the Population of Saudi Arabia.

Background The term "diverticula" refers to the existence of diverticula in the gastrointestinal tract but is mainly located in the sigmoid colon and is used to describe colonic diverticulosis. Diverticula, which are sac-like protrusions in the wall of the large bowel, are becoming more prevalent globally, in both developed and developing nations. This increase in occurrence is primarily attributed to changes in dietary and lifestyle patterns. Raising public awareness can potentially contribute to a decrease in the incidence of the disease and its associated complications. Aim This study aims to assess knowledge and awareness levels among the Saudi Arabian population regarding diverticulitis and its risk factors. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia between 1st January 2024 to 1st April 2024 using an online questionnaire for data collection. The target population consists of individuals who are between 18 years and 45, in Saudi Arabia without a history of diverticulitis. The study questionnaire covered participants' demographic (Western, Central, Southern, Eastern, Northern) regions, knowledge, awareness and practice of diverticulitis. Results A total of 548 eligible participants completed the study questionnaire, most of them (80.3%; 395) were from the Western region including Mecca, Medina and Jeddah. Participants' ages ranged from 18 to more than 40 years with a mean age of 30.5 ± 11.9 years old. A greater percentage (72.3%) of the participants were males compared to the percentage of females, which was 27.7%. The vast majority of the study participants had an inadequate knowledge level about diverticulitis (85.9%; 471) while only 31 (5.7%) had adequate knowledge and awareness about the disease. The most reported sources of information included study courses (6.4%), media (5.3%), and physicians (4.7%) while most respondents (83.6%) had no source. Conclusion In conclusion, aside from preventive strategies, the current study found that the public knew very little about diverticulitis, including its risk factors, clinical presentation, and diagnostic process. The two significant predictors of public awareness level were age and doctors as information sources.

Unmet needs in treatment of symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease and prevention of recurrent acute diverticulitis: a scoping review.

Background: Diverticular disease (DD) represents a common gastrointestinal condition that poses a heavy burden on healthcare systems worldwide. A high degree of uncertainty surrounds the therapeutic approaches for the control of symptoms in patients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) and primary and secondary prevention of diverticulitis and its consequences. Objectives: To review the current knowledge and discuss the unmet needs regarding the management of SUDD and the prevention of acute diverticulitis. Eligibility criteria: Randomized trials, observational studies, and systematic reviews on lifestyle/dietary interventions and medical treatment (rifaximin, mesalazine, and probiotics) of SUDD or prevention of acute diverticulitis. Sources of evidence: The literature search was performed from inception to April 2023, without language restriction, following the modified Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. References of the papers selected were checked to identify additional papers of potential interest. The final list of references was evaluated by a panel of experts, who were asked to check for any lack of relevant studies. Charting methods: Information on patient population, study design, intervention, control group, duration of the observation, and outcomes assessed was collected by two authors independently. Results: The review shows a high degree of uncertainty about therapeutic interventions, both dietary/lifestyle and pharmacological, in patients with SUDD, because of the scarcity and weakness of existing evidence. Available studies are generally of low quality, heterogeneous, and outdated, precluding the possibility to draw robust conclusions. Similarly, acute diverticulitis prevention has been seldom investigated, and there is a substantial lack of evidence supporting the role of dietary/lifestyle or pharmacological approaches to reduce the risk of diverticulitis. Conclusion: The lack of robust evidence regarding therapeutic options for gastrointestinal symptoms in SUDD patients and for primary and secondary prevention of acute diverticulitis remains an important unmet need in the management of DD.

Can diet change the natural history of gastrointestinal diseases?

Belatedly, gastroenterologists have begun to pay attention to the role of diet in the exacerbation of gastrointestinal symptoms in many digestive disorders-a recognition that has spurred both high-quality clinical trials and translational research into this area. It has become clear that multiple mechanisms acting either in isolation or together can induce gut symptoms and that appropriate interventions can lead to significant relief. What this review will explore is not the role of diet in the production of certain symptoms or symptom clusters, but rather whether a dietary intervention can beneficially alter the natural history of a gastrointestinal disease-a much more demanding expectation. Yet there are examples of where a diet, if sustained, can have a long-term impact on at least some of those affected by conditions such as eosinophilic esophagitis, celiac disease, food allergy, and constipation.

Diverticulitis Is Associated with Increased Risk of Colon Cancer-A Nationwide Register-Based Cohort Study.

Background: An association between diverticulitis and colon cancer has been proposed. The evidence is conflicting, and the guidelines differ regarding recommended follow-up with colonoscopy after an episode of diverticulitis. To guide regimes for follow-up, this study aimed to investigate if patients with diverticulitis have an increased risk of colon cancer. Methods: This study is reported according to the RECORD statement. We performed a cohort study with linked data from nationwide Danish registers. The inclusion period was 1997-2009, and the complete study period was 1995-2013. The primary outcome was the risk of developing colon cancer estimated using a Cox regression analysis with time-varying covariates. We performed a sensitivity analysis on a cohort of people with prior colonoscopies, comparing the risk of colon cancer between the diverticulitis group and the control group. Results: We included 29,173 adult males and females with diverticulitis and 145,865 controls matched for sex and age. The incidence proportion of colon cancer was 2.1% (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9-2.3) in the diverticulitis group and 1.5% (95% CI 1.4-1.5) in the matched control group (hazard ratio 1.6; 95% CI 1.5-1.8). The risk of having a colon cancer diagnosis was significantly increased in the first six months after inclusion (hazard ratio 1.7; 95% CI 1.5-1.8), and hereafter there was a lower risk in the diverticulitis group compared with controls (hazard ratio 0.8; 95% CI 0.7-0.9). This protective effect lasted eight years. The increased risk of colon cancer during the first six months after diverticulitis was also found in the cohort with prior colonoscopies. Conclusions: The risk of a colon cancer diagnosis was significantly increased for patients with diverticulitis 0-6 months after the diagnosis of diverticulitis. Hereafter, we found a protective effect of diverticulitis until eight years later, possibly due to a screening effect. We recommend a follow-up colonoscopy after the first diagnosis of diverticulitis.

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.

Factors affecting minimally invasive surgery utilization during elective colectomies for diverticular disease in the United States.

Background: Compared with open surgery, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has been shown to have improved outcomes when treating diverticular disease. This study aimed to analyze recent trends in MIS utilization for elective colectomy for diverticular disease and to identify individual variables and hospital characteristics associated with MIS utilization. Methods: This population-based study examined individuals from the National Inpatient Sample who underwent elective colectomy for diverticular disease from 2016 to 2019. Results: Hospitals in the Midwest used MIS less than those in other geographic regions. Rural hospitals used MIS less than urban hospitals. Hospital bed size and teaching status were not associated with differences in MIS utilization. Patients with private insurance were more likely to have an MIS operation. There was also a racial disparity in MIS utilization, even after adjusting for insurance status. Conclusions: While there is no longer any variance in MIS utilization based on hospital bed size or teaching status, disparities concerning patient race remain, even after adjusting for insurance status. Further investigation is needed to determine the roots of these disparities.

Endoscopic and clinicopathological features of segmental colitis associated with diverticulosis.

Objectives: Segmental colitis associated with diverticulosis (SCAD) has close endoscopic and pathological similarities to ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease. Clinical data on SCAD are limited in Japan. We examined the endoscopic and clinicopathological features of patients with SCAD. Methods: This single-center retrospective study included 13 patients with SCAD between 2012 and 2022. Endoscopic findings were categorized as follows: type A (swollen red patches 5-10 mm at the top of mucosal folds), mild and moderate type B (mild-to-moderate UC-like findings), type C (aphthous ulcers resembling Crohn's disease), and type D (severe UC-like findings). Results: Overall, six, five, and two patients were diagnosed with type A, mild type B, and moderate type B disease, respectively. Among the type A cases, two spontaneously progressed to moderate type B and one escalated to type D, necessitating an emergency sigmoidectomy owing to perforation peritonitis, despite repeated antibiotic treatments. Histopathologically, diffuse neutrophil and lymphocyte infiltration with cryptitis were noted in all type A cases, whereas UC-like alterations were observed in type B and D cases. Seven type B cases were treated with oral 5-aminosalicylic acid and/or salazosulfapyridine. Clinical remission was achieved in three mild type B cases and one moderate type B case, while clinical relapse and remission were noted in three moderate type B cases. No anti-inflammatory treatment was required in three type A and two mild type B cases. Conclusions: Aggressive anti-inflammatory treatment should be considered for SCAD with UC-like findings due to the potential risk of severe ulceration, stenosis, and/or perforation.

Is there a link between appendicitis and the risk of diverticular disease?: a large German cohort study.

PURPOSE: Appendicitis, characterized by inflammation of the vermiform appendix, is a common abdominal emergency necessitating appendectomy. Recent evidence suggests a potential link between appendicitis and subsequent diverticular disease, yet population-based studies investigating this association are limited. METHODS: Utilizing the Disease Analyzer database encompassing data from over 1000 primary care practices in Germany, we conducted a retrospective cohort study. We included 25,379 adults diagnosed with appendicitis and an equal number of matched controls without appendicitis. The incidence of diverticular disease over a 10-year follow-up period was compared between the two cohorts. Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the association between appendicitis and diverticular disease, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Our findings revealed a significant association between appendicitis and subsequent diverticular disease (HR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.57-1.97), with an increased risk observed across all age groups. Notably, this association was stronger in men (HR: 2.00; 95% CI: 1.68-2.37) than in women (HR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.36-1.84). The cumulative 10-year incidence of diverticular disease was higher in patients with appendicitis (6.5%) compared to those without (3.6%). Additionally, we observed a clear age-dependent increase in the incidence of diverticular disease. CONCLUSION: This large-scale population-based study provides valuable insights into the interaction between appendicitis and diverticular disease. The study underscores the need for further research elucidating the underlying mechanisms linking appendicitis to diverticular disease. Probiotics emerge as a potential therapeutic avenue warranting exploration in the management of both conditions. These findings have important implications for clinical practice, highlighting the importance of considering appendicitis as a potential risk factor for diverticular disease, particularly in men. Further investigation is warranted to validate these findings and explore potential therapeutic interventions targeting the shared pathophysiological pathways underlying both conditions.

Appendiceal Diverticulitis Mimics Cecal Diverticulitis Diagnosed Preoperatively.

Appendiceal diverticulitis is an uncommon condition that clinically resembles acute appendicitis. However, it is an incidental finding in histopathological studies and is rarely diagnosed preoperatively by imaging studies. In this article, we present the clinical and imaging findings of a male patient presenting with right upper quadrant pain with a preoperative imaging diagnosis of appendiceal diverticulitis. He underwent laparoscopic appendectomy and confirmed the diagnosis of appendiceal diverticulitis. This is a rare preoperative diagnosis. The management is often like typical appendicitis which is appendectomy. It is important to differentiate it from diverticulitis of the small intestine or colon because these diseases usually require only conservative treatment.

Neutrophil- and Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio as Biomarkers of Severity in Complicated Diverticular Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Diverticulitis is a prevalent gastrointestinal disease that may require surgical intervention. The aim of the study was to investigate the involvement of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as biomarkers of severity in complicated diverticular disease (CDD) in Mexican patients and their correlation with the need for surgical intervention, the length of hospital stay, and mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational, longitudinal, and retrospective study performed from 2017 to 2021 was considered in patients over 18 years of age, with a diagnosis of CDD by using computed tomography and with a hemogram taken in the first 24 hours upon admission to the emergency department to describe the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV, respectively) of NLR and PLR in the CDD.  Results: A total of 102 Mexican patients suffering from CDD, 54% women and 46% men with a mean of 59 years, were analyzed. According to Hinchey's classification, 79 (77.5%) patients showed type I, 12 (12.8%) type II, 5 (4.9%) type III, and 6 (5.9%) type IV. The mean hospital stay was 8.8 days, with a mortality rate of 3.9%. The cut-off value was established at 5.1 for NLR according to the results of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.633, a sensitivity of 90%, a specificity of 43%, PPV of 21.8%, and NPV of 96% for the prediction of CDD. A cut-off value for PLR at 72 was established according to the results of the ROC curve with an AUC of 0.482, a sensitivity of 78%, a specificity of 40%, PPV of 96%, and NPV of 9% for the prediction of CDD. CONCLUSION: The NLR and PLR are easily calculable and accessible biomarkers that can be part of the decision-making for the diagnosis and treatment of CDD in Mexican people as has been observed in other populations. However, more prospective, multicenter comparative studies are needed to assess the efficacy and safety of these biomarkers in relation to those already described.

Diverticular disease: update on pathophysiology, classification and management.

Colonic diverticulosis is prevalent, affecting approximately 70% of the western population by 80 years of age. Incidence is rapidly increasing in younger age groups. Between 10% and 25% of those with diverticular disease (DD) will experience acute diverticulitis. A further 15% will develop complications including abscess, bleeding and perforation. Such complications are associated with significant morbidity and mortality and constitute a worldwide health burden. Furthermore, chronic symptoms associated with DD are difficult to manage and present a further significant healthcare burden. The pathophysiology of DD is complex due to multifactorial contributing factors. These include diet, colonic wall structure, intestinal motility and genetic predispositions. Thus, targeted preventative measures have proved difficult to establish. Recently, commonly held conceptions on DD have been challenged. This review explores the latest understanding on pathophysiology, risk factors, classification and treatment options.