title: Balsalazide and/or high-potency probiotic mixture (VSL#3) in maintaining remission after attack of acute, uncomplicated diverticulitis of the colon.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The role of probiotics in the treatment of diverticulitis is still not known. The aim of our study was to investigate whether balsalazide and/or VSL#3 is effective in preventing diverticulitis recurrence.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this pilot study, 30 consecutive patients (19 males, 11 females, mean age 60.1 years, range 47-75 years) affected by uncomplicated diverticulitis of the colon were monitored. After obtaining remission, the patients were randomly assigned to one of the following groups as follows: group A, balsalazide 2.25 g daily for 10 days every month plus VSL#3 450 billions/day for 15 days every month and group B, VSL#3 alone 450 billions/day for 15 days every month. Primary end-point was considered the maintaining of remission throughout a 12-month follow-up. Secondary end-points considered were (1) the assessment of the overall scores at the end of the follow-up and (2) the effects of the two different treatments with regards to every symptom assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One group A patient was withdrawn from the study at the 6th month and one group B patient was lost at the 6th month of follow-up. One group A patient (6.66%) showed relapse of symptoms at the 10th month of follow-up. At the end of follow-up, 11 patients were completely symptom-free (73.33%), whilst 2 patients complained of only mild, recurrent symptoms (13%). Two group B patients (13.33%) showed relapse of the disease at the 5th and 8th month of follow-up, respectively. At the end of follow-up, 8 patients were completely symptom-free (60%), 2 patients complained of mild, recurrent symptoms (13.33%), 1 patient (6.66%) complained of mild but continuous symptoms. No side effects were recorded throughout the follow-up in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combination probiotic/anti-inflammatory drug was found better than probiotic treatment in preventing relapse of uncomplicated diverticulitis of the colon, even if without statistical significance.
authors: Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Lorenzo Bonomo Hospital, Andria (BA), Italy. antotursi@tiscali.it
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Tursi
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Brandimarte
authors: Gian Marco
authors: GM
authors: Giorgetti
authors: Walter
authors: W
authors: Elisei
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Aiello
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D004239:Diverticulitis, Colonic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007780:Lacticaseibacillus casei / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D019804:Mesalamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010659:Phenylhydrazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019936:Probiotics / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D010659:Phenylhydrazines; D019804:Mesalamine; C038637:balsalazide