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 .
Long-Term Follow-up After an Initial Episode of Diverticulitis: What Are the Predictors of Recurrence?
PURPOSE : The purpose of our study was to determine the clinical and CT predictors of recurrent disease after a first episode of diverticulitis that was successfully managed nonoperatively . METHODS : We retrospectively analyzed 954 consecutive patients who presented to our institution with diverticulitis from 2002 to 2008 . Patients were identified with International Classification of Diseases , 9th Revision/Current Procedural Terminology codes . Patients were excluded if they had subsequent colectomy based on the first attack ( n = 81 ) , or if the attack they had between 2002 and 2008 was not their first attack ( n = 201 ) . We evaluated CT variables chosen by a panel of expert gastrointestinal radiologists . These radiologists review ed the available published literature for CT imaging characteristics thought to predict diverticulitis severity . CT variables ( n = 20 ) were determined by prospect i ve reevaluation of scans by blinded study radiologists . Clinical variables ( n = 43 ) were coded based on a retrospective chart review . Univariate analysis of variables in relation to recurrent disease was performed by a log-rank test of Kaplan-Meier estimates . Multivariate analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards modeling . Variables with P < .2 on univariate analysis were included in a stepwise selection algorithm . RESULTS : The study population included 672 patients ; mean age , 61 ± 15 years ; mean follow-up , 42.8 ± 24 months . The index presentation of diverticulitis was most commonly located in the sigmoid colon ( 72 % ) , followed by descending colon ( 33 % ) , right colon ( 5 % ) , and transverse colon ( 3 % ) . Overall recurrence at 5 years was 36 % by ( 95 % CI 31.4%–40.6 % ) Kaplan-Meier estimate . Complicated recurrence ( fistula , abscess , free perforation ) occurred in 3.9 % ( 95 % CI 2.2%–5.6 % ) of patients at 5 years by Kaplan-Meier estimate . Family history of diverticulitis ( HR 2.2 , 95 % CI 1.4–3.2 ) , length of involved colon > 5 cm ( HR 1.7 , 95 % CI 1.3–2.3 ) , and retroperitoneal abscess ( HR 4.5 , 95 % CI 1.1–18.4 ) were associated with diverticulitis recurrence . Right colon disease ( HR 0.27 , 95 % CI 0.09–0.86 ) was associated with freedom from recurrence . CONCLUSION : Although diverticulitis recurrence is common following an initial attack that has been managed medically , complicated recurrence is uncommon . Patients who present with a family history of diverticulitis , long segment of involved colon , and /or retroperitoneal abscess are at higher risk for recurrent disease . Patients who present with right-sided diverticulitis are at low risk for recurrent disease . These findings should be taken into consideration when counseling patients regarding the potential benefits of prophylactic colectomy
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 .