A Worldwide Perspective on Diagnosis and Management of Diverticular Disease: Understanding Similarities and Differences

Abstract

The epidemiology of diverticular disease (DD) is changing, with an increasing prevalence in younger patients from Europe and the USA, and changing disease patterns also seen in Asian populations. This epidemiological shift has substantial implications for disease management policy and healthcare costs. Most (75–80%) patients with diverticulosis never develop symptoms. Around 5% develop acute diverticulitis or other complications, while 10–15% develop symptomatic uncomplicated DD (SUDD) with symptoms resembling irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, most available guidelines highlight the importance of diverticulitis, with less emphasis on and often limited discussion about SUDD and its management. Recent data suggest an important relationship between gut microbiota and DD, including SUDD. In healthy individuals, the gut microbiota exists in harmony (eubiosis); in individuals with disease, quantitative and qualitative changes in microbial diversity (dysbiosis) may adversely influence colonic metabolism and homeostasis. Addressing this imbalance and restoring a healthier microbiota via eubiotic or probiotic therapy may be of value. In SUDD, clinical benefit has been seen with the use of rifaximin, which acts by multiple mechanisms: direct antibiotic activity, a modulatory eubiotic effect with an increase in muco-protective Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium organisms, and anti-inflammatory effects, among others. Clinical studies have demonstrated symptom improvement and reduction in complications in patients with SUDD, with a favourable safety and tolerability profile and no evidence of microbial resistance. Evidence for other agents in DD is less robust. Mesalamine is not effective at preventing recurrence of acute diverticulitis, although it may provide some symptom improvement. At present, there is insufficient evidence to recommend the use of probiotics in SUDD symptom management.