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 .
Intermittent treatment with mesalazine in the prevention of diverticulitis recurrence: a randomised multicentre pilot double-blind placebo-controlled study of 24-month duration
Background and aim Recurrence of diverticulitis is frequent within 5 years from the uncomplicated first attack , and its prophylaxis is still unclear . We have undertaken a multicentre , r and omised , double-blind , placebo-controlled pilot study in order to evaluate the role of mesalazine in preventing diverticulitis recurrence as well as its effects on symptoms associated to diverticular disease . Methods Ninety-six patients with the recent first episode of uncomplicated diverticulitis were r and omised to receive mesalazine 800 mg twice daily for 10 days every month or placebo for 24 months . The primary efficacy end point was the diverticulitis recurrence at intention to treat analysis . Clinical evaluations were performed using the Therapy Impact Question naire ( TIQ ) for physical condition and quality of life at admission and at 3-month intervals . Treatment tolerability and routine biochemistry parameters as well as the use of additional drugs were also evaluated . Results Ninety-two patients ( mean age , 61.5 ) completed the study , 45 of whom received mesalazine , and 47 , placebo .  Diverticulitis relapse incidence in mesalazine-treated group was 5/45 ( 11 % ) at the 12th month and 6/45 ( 13 % ) at the 24th month ; in the placebo-treated group , the correspondent rates were 13 % ( 6/47 ) and 28 % ( 13/47 ) , respectively . Mean values of TIQ at 24 months were significantly better in mesalazine-treated group than in placebo-treated group ( p = 0.02 ) ; in addition , average additional drug consumption was significantly lower ( −20.4 % , p < 0.03 ) in mesalazine than in placebo . Conclusions Diverticulitis recurrence occurred in as many as 28 % of patients under placebo within 24 months from the initial episode . Intermittent prophylaxis with mesalazine did not significantly reduce the risk of relapse but induced a significant improvement of patients ' physical conditions and significantly lowered the additional consumption of other gastrointestinal drugs
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 .