Primary diverticulitis with abscess formation and young age increased the risk of recurrence .
Readmission risk was higher within the first year after remission .
Conclusions The best treatment strategy for recurrent diverticulitis is undetermined .
Purpose Several factors may influence the risk of recurrence after an episode of acute colonic diverticulitis .
Until now , a comprehensive systematic overview and evaluation of relevant risk factors have not been presented .
This review aim ed at assembling and evaluating current evidence on risk factors for recurrence after conservatively treated acute colonic diverticulitis .
Short-term Intravenous Antibiotic Treatment in Uncomplicated Diverticulitis Does Not Increase the Risk of Recurrence Compared to Long-term Treatment
Purpose This study included all patients treated at the University Hospital of Geneva for a first episode of uncomplicated diverticulitis . Risks of recurrence and treatment failure were evaluated by comparing the results between short-course and long-course intravenous ( IV ) antibiotic therapy groups . Methods The records of all patients hospitalized at our facility from January 2007 to February 2012 for a first episode of uncomplicated diverticulitis ( Hinchey Ia ) , as confirmed by computed tomography , were prospect ively collected . We published an auxiliary analysis from this registered study at Clinical trials.gov ( identifier number : NCT01015378 ) . Two groups of patients were considered : one received a short-course IV antibiotic arm ( ceftriaxone and metronidazole ) for up to 5 days ( followed by 5 days of oral antibiotics ) ; the other received a long-course IV arm between days 5 and 10 . The primary outcome was the recurrence-free survival time . Results Follow-up was completed for 256 patients -50 % men and 50 % women , with a median age of 56 years ( range , 24 - 85 years ) . The average follow-up was 50 months ( range , 19 - 89 months ) . Of the 256 patients included in the study , 46 patients received a short-course IV antibiotic treatment and 210 received a long-course treatment .  The recurrence-free survivals were very similar between the two groups , which was supported by a log rank test ( P = 0.772 ) . Four treatment failures , all in the long-course IV antibiotic treatment group , occurred . Conclusion Treatment of diverticulitis with a short IV antibiotic treatment is possible and does not modify the recurrence rate in patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis
Primary diverticulitis with abscess formation and young age increased the risk of recurrence .
Readmission risk was higher within the first year after remission .
Conclusions The best treatment strategy for recurrent diverticulitis is undetermined .
Purpose Several factors may influence the risk of recurrence after an episode of acute colonic diverticulitis .
Until now , a comprehensive systematic overview and evaluation of relevant risk factors have not been presented .
This review aim ed at assembling and evaluating current evidence on risk factors for recurrence after conservatively treated acute colonic diverticulitis .