Prospective study about the security and efficacy of treatment without antibiotic therapy of patients diagnosed with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis after launching a protocol at a tertiary hospital

Introduction

The main objective of our study is to analyze the results in our hospital after launching a treatment protocol without antibiotic therapy for patients diagnosed with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis.

Methods

Our observational, prospective, single-center study was developed after launching a treatment protocol without antibiotic therapy for patients diagnosed with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (AUD) in January 2021. The follow-up period was from January 1, 2021 to September 30, 2023. Variables evaluated by the study have included demographic and analytical variables, as well as those related to diagnosis and whether the patients needed to start antibiotic treatment, inpatient treatment, or surgical procedures.

Results

In total, 199 patients were diagnosed with AUD, 75 of whom were treated without antibiotic therapy as outpatients. Seven of these patients needed to start antibiotic treatment because of adverse evolution; none of these patients required surgical procedures. The need for inpatient treatment, urgent care, or surgical procedures is similar to the group of patients treated with antibiotics.

The main risk factor of failure of outpatient treatment without antibiotic therapy identified by the study was the presence of bacteriuria at diagnosis.

Conclusions

Our results confirm previous reports, observing that treatment without antibiotic therapy in selected patients with AUD is safe.