Efficacy of cefmetazole in immunocompetent patients with uncomplicated colonic diverticulitis: A propensity score matching analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of colonic diverticulitis is increasing in Japan. Although antimicrobial chemotherapy is a treatment option, Japanese guidelines for diverticulosis do not recommend any antibiotic in particular and antibiotic selection is left to the discretion of the prescribing physician, who often selects antibiotics with anti-pseudomonal activity. Therefore, this study compared the efficacy of cefmetazole (CMZ) with that of tazobactam/piperacillin (TAZ/PIPC) in hospitalized Japanese immunocompetent patients with uncomplicated colonic diverticulitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included Japanese immunocompetent patients hospitalized for colonic diverticulitis between April 2019 and March 2022. Participants were divided into the CMZ and TAZ/PIPC groups. After propensity score matching, the intergroup differences in clinical outcomes, including adverse events, mortality, and re-admission rate, were ascertained. RESULTS: During the study period, 142 Japanese patients were hospitalized with community-onset colonic diverticulitis; 124 of these patients were immunocompetent. Of the 124 patients, 42 were excluded, and the CMZ and TAZ/PIPC groups comprised 62 and 20 patients, respectively. After propensity score matching, there were 16 patients in each group. There was no significant intergroup difference in the mortality and re-admission rates; however, the incidence of liver dysfunction was significantly higher (p = 0.018) in the TAZ/PIPC group. CONCLUSION: In patients with colonic diverticulitis, CMZ therapy should be selected because of the adequate clinical outcomes and lower incidence of adverse events, as this would reduce broad-spectrum antibiotic use and minimize antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Glucocorticoid-induced tumour necrosis factor receptor expression: a potential molecular link between steroid intake and complicated diverticulitis?

AIM: Immunosuppression and steroid medication have been identified as risk factors for complicated sigmoid diverticulitis. The underlying molecular mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. We hypothesized that glucocorticoid-induced tumour necrosis factor receptor (GITR) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) might play a role. METHOD: GITR and MMP-9 were analysed at protein [immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence (IF)] and messenger RNA level (real-time polymerase chain reaction) in surgical specimens with complicated and non-complicated diverticulitis (n=101). IF double staining and regression analysis were performed for both markers. GITR expression was correlated with clinical data and its usefulness as a diagnostic test was investigated. RESULTS: High GITR expression (≥41%) was observed in the inflammatory infiltrate in complicated diverticulitis, in contrast to non-complicated diverticulitis where GITR expression was low (P<0.001). High GITR expression was significantly associated with steroid use and pulmonary diseases (both P<0.001). MMP-9 expression correlated with GITR expression (R(2) =0.7268, P<0.0001, r=0.85) as demonstrated with IF double-staining experiments. Co-labelling of GITR with CD68, but not CD15, suggested that GITR-expressing cells in diverticulitis are macrophages. GITR expression was superior to C-reactive protein (CRP), white cell count and temperature in distinguishing complicated and non-complicated diverticulitis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that GITR expression in inflammatory cells might potentially indicate a molecular link between steroid use and complicated forms of acute sigmoid diverticulitis. Increased MMP-9 expression by GITR signalling might explain the morphological changes in the colonic wall of perforated and phlegmonous diverticulitis. Analysis of soluble GITR might be a promising strategy for future research.

[Complications of colonic diverticular disease during rheumatoid polyarthritis: 7 cases]. / Complications de la maladie diverticulaire colique au cours de la polyarthrite rhumatoïde: sept observations.

INTRODUCTION: Among the gastrointestinal adverse effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and corticoids are mentioned complications of colonic diverticular disease. However, very few studies have described their consequences in rheumatoid arthritis. EXEGESIS: We report on seven patients who were admitted in our department between 1984 and 1997. All patients received corticoids and another antirheumatic drug (gold salts, hydroxychloroquine, immunosuppressive drugs); treatment also included NSAID in four cases. Two patients had a necrotizing vasculitis accompanying rheumatoid arthritis. Intestinal accompanying diseases were the following: one diverticulitis, three colonic perforations with pelviperitonitis, one colovesical fistula, one pelvic abscess, and one diverticular hemorrhage. All patients underwent surgery with positive results. CONCLUSION: Combination of the four following symptoms: fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and hemorrhage, can uncover a complication of colónic diverticular disease occurring in the course of rheumatoid arthritis. It should be investigated, even if no history of diverculosis may be evidenced.

[Nonsteroidal antirheumatic drugs and acetylsalicylic acid: adverse effects distal to the duodenum]. / Nichtsteroidale Antirheumatika und Azetylsalizylsäure: Nebenwirkungen distal des Duodenums.

An increasing number of case reports and controlled trials have drawn attention to NSAID-induced side effects in the lower gastrointestinal tract. In this review we also report 9 cases of colonic ulcers and 7 cases of diaphragm disease of the ascending colon, most of them associated with the long-term intake of slow release diclofenac. NSAIDs not only can exacerbate preexisting conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or diverticular disease, but may also induce de novo enteropathy, colitis, collagenous colitis ulcers and strictures. Complications such as bleeding, perforation or bowel obstruction may require surgery. From the literature and our own experience we conclude that the use of slow release formulations has shifted the toxicity of NSAIDs from the upper to the lower gastrointestinal tract. This must be considered in differential diagnosis and checked by endoscopy if appropriate.

[Sigmoid diverticulitis in immunosuppressive drug therapy]. / Sigmadiverticulitis unter medikamentöser Immunsuppression.

In a retrospective study we evaluated the data of 92 patients (41 women, 51 men, age median: 63 years) with diverticulitis of the sigma who were treated surgically in our clinic from January 1986 till December 1992. Twelve patients (13%) suffered from suppression of the immune system due to a corticoid therapy (n = 3), chemotherapy (n = 1), combination of corticoid therapy and chemotherapy (n = 1), combination of chemotherapy and azathioprine, leucopenia due to carbimazole therapy as a side effect (n = 1) and immunosuppression with prednisone, azathioprine and cyclosporine after renal and heart transplantations (n = 5). The therapy was Hartmann's procedure in 5 patients, drainage and loop colostomy in one patient, sigma resection with primary anastomosis without a protective enterostomy in 5 patients and with a loop ileostomy in one patient. One patient died in the early postoperative course. Sigma diverticulitis in immunosuppressed patients is a well-known problem especially in large clinics with organ transplantation units. In contrast to reports from up to the eighties we found no significant difference in the postoperative morbidity and mortality after surgical treatment of acute sigma diverticulitis in immunosuppressed patients compared to non immunosuppressed patients.

[Non-steroidal ant-inflammatory drugs and inflammation of the colon]. / Niet-steroïde anti-inflammatoire geneesmiddelen en ontstekingen van de dikke darm.

A retrospective study with use of a control group was performed to determine the role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) in the pathogenesis of diverticulitis which necessitated laparotomy. Of the 46 patients, 18 (39%) used NSAIDs. The relative risk of an NSAID-related laparotomy was 4.3. The prognosis and mortality of the patients with an NSAID-related laparotomy were not worse than those of patients who did not use NSAIDs. The files of 50 patients with active colitis were retrospectively studied to determine the role of NSAIDs in generating inflammation of the large bowel. 5 patients used NSAIDs, of whom 2 appeared to have a colitis directly caused by the use of NSAIDs. NSAID-induced inflammation of (diverticula of) the large bowel appears to be less frequent than severe complications due to NSAID related peptic ulcers. However, they should not be disregarded.