Abstract | BACKGROUND:
Mesalazine seems to be effective in preventing recurrence of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (AUD), but the optimal mesalazine scheme to achieve these results is still debated. AIM: To assess the effectiveness of two different mesalazine-based treatments in preventing recurrence of AUD and the occurrence of other complications of diverticular disease (DD) during a long-term follow-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 311 patients suffer from recent episode of AUD and undergoing to mesalazine treatment: 207 (group A, 105 males, median age 63 years, range 47-74 years) were treated with mesalazine 1.6 g for 10 days each month, whilst 104 (group B, 55 males, median age 65 years, range 50-72 years) were treated with mesalazine 1.6 g every day. Patients were followed-up every 6 months (median 7.5 months, range 5-13 months). RESULTS: Patients were followed-up for a mean time of 3 years (range 12-72 months). Overall, occurrence of complication recurred more frequently in group A than in group B (p = 0.030, log-rank test). Acute diverticulitis recurred in 17 (8.2%) patients in group A and in 3 (2.9%) in group B; diverticular bleeding occurred in 4 (1.9%) patients in group A and in 1 (0.96%) patient in group B; surgery was required in 3 (1.4%) patients in group A and in no (0%) patient in group B. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study showing that long-term mesalazine treatment is significantly better that intermittent mesalazine treatment in preventing occurrence of DD complications after an attack of acute diverticulitis.
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Authors | A Tursi, F Di Mario, G Brandimarte, W Elisei, M Picchio, S Loperfido, N Dal Bo', F Ferrara, R Marcello, H Heras Salvat, C Scarpignato |
Journal | European review for medical and pharmacological sciences
(Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci)
Vol. 17
Issue 23
Pg. 3244-8
(Dec 2013)
ISSN: 1128-3602 [Print] Italy |
PMID | 24338468
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
- Gastrointestinal Agents
- Mesalamine
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Chi-Square Distribution
- Diverticulitis, Colonic
(diagnosis, etiology, prevention & control)
- Diverticulosis, Colonic
(complications, diagnosis, drug therapy)
- Diverticulum, Colon
(complications, diagnosis, drug therapy)
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Gastrointestinal Agents
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Humans
- Kaplan-Meier Estimate
- Male
- Mesalamine
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Middle Aged
- Retrospective Studies
- Secondary Prevention
- Time Factors
- Treatment Outcome
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