First-time, mild diverticulitis: Antibiotics or watchful waiting?
Don't jump to antibiotic Tx for mild, uncomplicated diverticulitis, a recent RCT says. Observation may be just as effective.
PRACTICE CHANGER
For mild, computed tomography-proven acute diverticulitis, consider observation only instead of antibiotic therapy.
STRENGTH OF RECOMMENDATION
B: Based on a single randomized controlled trial.
Daniels L, Ünlü Ç, de Korte N, et al, for the Dutch Diverticular Disease (3D) Collaborative Study Group. Randomized clinical trial of observational versus antibiotic treatment for a first episode of CT-proven uncomplicated acute diverticulitis. Br J Surg. 2017;104:52-61.1
CHALLENGES TO IMPLEMENTATION
None to speak of
We see no challenges to implementing this recommendation.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The PURLs Surveillance System was supported in part by Grant Number UL1RR024999 from the National Center For Research Resources, a Clinical Translational Science Award to the University of Chicago. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Center For Research Resources or the National Institutes of Health.
