title: Assessment of recurrence and complications following uncomplicated diverticulitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The natural history of sigmoid diverticulitis has been inferred from population-based or retrospective studies. This study assessed the risk of a recurrent attack following the first episode of uncomplicated diverticulitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients admitted between January 2007 and December 2011 with a first episode of uncomplicated sigmoid diverticulitis confirmed on computed tomography were enrolled in this prospective study. After successful medical management of the first episode, follow-up was conducted through yearly telephone interviews. Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to model the impact of various parameters on eventual recurrences and complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During a median follow-up of 24 (range 3-63) months, 46 (16·4 per cent) of 280 patients experienced a second episode of diverticulitis. Six patients (2·1 per cent) subsequently developed complicated diverticulitis and four (1·4 per cent) underwent emergency surgery for peritonitis. In multivariable analysis, a raised serum level of C-reactive protein (over 240 mg/l) during the first attack was associated with early recurrence (hazard ratio 1·75, 95 per cent confidence interval 1·04 to 2·94; P = 0·035).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Uncomplicated sigmoid diverticulitis follows a benign course with few recurrences and little need for emergency surgery.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NCT01015378 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Geneva University Hospital and Medical School, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Buchs
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Konrad-Mugnier
authors.forename: A-S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Jannot
authors.forename: P-A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Poletti
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ambrosetti
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gervaz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D004239:Diverticulitis, Colonic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012810:Sigmoid Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein