title: Prevention and Conservative Therapy of Diverticular Disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diverticular disease is a common problem. Prevention and treatment of complications depend on the stage of the disease. Lifestyle modifications are suitable preventive measures, aiming to reduce obesity and to balance the diet with a high amount of fiber and a low amount of meat. However, evidence to guide the pharmacological treatment of diverticular disease and diverticulitis is limited.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Antibiotics are not proven to be effective in patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis and without further risk factors; neither do they improve treatment nor prevent complications. Mesalazine might have an effect on pain relief in diverticular disease even though it has no significant effect on the outcome of diverticulitis. In complicated diverticulitis, inpatient treatment including antibiotics is mandatory.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evidence for the treatment of diverticular disease is limited. Further research is needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine III, St. Bernward Hospital, Hildesheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kruse
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine III, St. Bernward Hospital, Hildesheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Ludger
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leifeld
keywords: Antibiotics; Dietary fiber; Diverticular disease; Diverticulitis; Mesalamine; Mesalazine