Patients with symptomatic uncomplicated
diverticular disease represent a spectrum of patients who report recurrent abdominal symptoms, however are lacking substantial colonic
inflammation in contrast to patients with acute
diverticulitis. This non-interventional study investigated the efficacy and tolerability of
rifaximin, a broad-spectrum poorly absorbable
antibiotic, in cyclic treatment of these patients. Adult patients with uncomplicated
diverticular disease in care of physicians in private practice intended to be treated with
rifaximin were included. Patients with acute
diverticulitis and symptoms suggestive of more severe intestinal
inflammation were excluded. Data of 1,003 patients treated in cycles of 7-10 days per month over a period of 3 months were evaluated. In total, 75 % of patients had more than three episodes of symptoms in the last year before inclusion in the study. However, two-third of patients did not receive any treatment before. Over the 3-month treatment period with
rifaximin, all assessed symptoms of
diverticular disease, such as
abdominal pain, diarrhoea and
flatulence, improved significantly. There was an overall good compliance to the scheme of cyclic drug administration of
rifaximin. During the study, 24 adverse events in 20 patients were recorded, of which 6 adverse events showed a causal relationship to the use of
rifaximin (0.6 %). We conclude that cyclic
rifaximin shows good clinical efficacy and tolerability in patients with symptomatic uncomplicated
diverticular disease treated in a routine private practice outpatient setting.