title: Diagnostic impact of routine colonoscopy following acute diverticulitis: A multicenter study in 808 patients and controls.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The diagnosis of acute diverticulitis is mainly based on clinical, biological and computed tomography (CT)-scan findings. Elective colonoscopy is recommended after medical treatment, to rule out another diagnosis and to detect associated conditions; however, the relevance of this recommendation has been questioned.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2005 and December 2011, we retrospectively identified in three referral centers the consecutive patients whom underwent a colonoscopy after the medical treatment of a CT scan-proven acute diverticulitis episode. We excluded from the analysis patients with haematochezia or recent change in bowel habits. Sex and age-matched asymptomatic patients undergoing a screening colonoscopy were chosen as a control group. We collected and compared the results of colonoscopy and histological findings in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We matched 404 patients whom underwent a colonoscopy after an episode of acute diverticulitis with 404 control patients. Their mean age was 60.9 years, with 59% being women. Colorectal adenoma, advanced adenoma and cancer detection rates in acute diverticulitis patients were 12.1%, 2.7% and 0.25%, respectively; versus 14.6% (p = 0.35), 6.7% (p = 0.01) and 0.25% respectively, in control patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diagnosis rates for adenomas and for colorectal cancer during a colonoscopy scheduled after acute diverticulitis were similar than those of control patients undergoing a screening colonoscopy, while the detection rate of advanced adenomas was lower. We suggest that colonoscopy should be indicated only in selected patients, i.e. those presenting with reasonable doubt on initial CT-scan, those with alarm symptoms, and those with identified risk factors for colorectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Department, Rouen University Hospital, University of Rouen, Rouen, France ; Paris Diderot University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France ; Department of Gastroenterology, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lecleire
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Department, General Hospital of Montfermeil, Montfermeil, France.
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nahon
authors.affiliation: Paris Diderot University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France ; Department of Gastroenterology, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alatawi
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Department, Rouen University Hospital, University of Rouen, Rouen, France.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Antonietti
authors.affiliation: Paris Diderot University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Ulriikka
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Chaput
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Department, Rouen University Hospital, University of Rouen, Rouen, France.
authors.forename: Aude
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di-Fiore
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Department, Rouen University Hospital, University of Rouen, Rouen, France.
authors.forename: Raied
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alhameedi
authors.affiliation: Paris Diderot University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France ; Department of Gastroenterology, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marteau
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Department, Rouen University Hospital, University of Rouen, Rouen, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ducrotté
authors.affiliation: Paris Diderot University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France ; Department of Gastroenterology, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Dray
keywords: Adenoma; colonoscopy; colorectal cancer; colorectal neoplasia; diagnosis; diverticulitis; screening
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