Natural History of Sigmoid Diverticulitis: The Geneva Cohort Study

Plain-language summary

Aim: This is a longitudinal cohort study to assess long-term clinical outcome of patients who were admitted in our institution for a first episode of uncomplicated sigmoid diverticulitis. Methods: All patients who were diagnosed with a first episode of sigmoid diverticulitis will be evaluated for inclusion in the study, pending informed consent. Those patients who have evidence of complicated diverticulitis (fistula, abscess) will receive a recommendation to undergo elective sigmoid resection, while those who have a simple attack will be recruited in the cohort. Follow-up will be performed at yearly intervals through telephone interview with the patient. The duration of study is expected to last 10 years (2010-2020), with \>50 new patients/year, for a total of \>500 patients. Endpoints: 1. the occurrence of a second episode of diverticulitis 2. severity and outcome of recurrent diverticulitis 3. evolution in digestive symptoms and quality of life (QoL) 4. need for subsequent elective or emergency sigmoid resection Rationale: This study will help in determining the risk/benefit of the current approach for this common condition, which is to manage patients conservatively with antibiotics and adopt a wait-and-see attitude. Specifically, the following events will be assessed quantitatively: * the rate of relapse in an urban community. * the burden of this common disease on QoL and digestive function * the percentage of patients who may need emergency surgery

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