Cyclic rifaximin therapy effectively prevents the recurrence of symptoms after exacerbation of symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease: a retrospective study.

Symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) is the most common manifestation of diverticulosis. Data concerning the optimal treatment after SUDD exacerbation are inconsistent. To assess the effectiveness and necessity of cyclic rifaximin treatment for recurrent SUDD symptoms and for preventing exacerbations in patients who responded to the initial treatment. A retrospective observational study was performed in 2017. Physicians responded to a survey on patients with recurrent SUDD during the observation period, who were cyclically treated with rifaximin 400 mg In total 294 patients were included in this study (67% women, median age: 65 years (26-87)). The mean duration of diverticular disease (DD) was 4.5 years (1-20), and 88% had at least one repeated episode of SUDD exacerbation before rifaximin. A total of 267 patients were treated with rifaximin. Changes in the severity of pain, abdominal tenderness, diarrhoea, constipation, and bloating were assessed every 2 months. After 6 months of rifaximin treatment there was a statistically significant reduction in the total severity score (median from 1.8 (max. 3 points) to 0.2; Cyclical rifaximin is effective in treating exacerbation of SUDD. This regimen leads to a gradual cessation of symptoms over a 6-month period. In patients who responded to the initial treatment, cyclic rifaximin therapy is needed to maintain remission.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Anna Pietrzak, Tomasz Banasiewicz, Adam Dziki and Jaroslaw Regula were remunerated by Alfasigma's lecturers during the last two years.