AIM:To compare the natural history and course of acute diverticulitis in a younger age group with an older population and to evaluate whether younger patients should be managed differently. METHODS:This study was a re...AIM:To compare the natural history and course of acute diverticulitis in a younger age group with an older population and to evaluate whether younger patients should be managed differently. METHODS:This study was a retrospective review of 157 patients treated with acute diverticulitis between January 1,2004 and December 31,2007.Diverticulitis was stratified according to the Hinchey classification. Patients were divided into 2 populations:group A≤ 50 years(n=31) ;group B>50 years(n=126) .Mean patient follow-up was 15 mo. RESULTS:The median age was 60 years.A significantly higher proportion of patients in group B presented with complicated diverticulitis(36.5%vs 12.9%,P=0.01) .Recurrence was more frequent in group A(25.8%vs 11.1%,P=0.03) and the mean time-torecurrence was shorter(12 mo vs 28 mo,P=0.26) . The most severe recurrent episodes of acute diverticulitis were classified as Hinchey stageⅠand none of the patients required emergency surgery.In multivariate analysis,only age(P=0.024) was identified as an independent prognostic factor for recurrence. CONCLUSION:Based on the results of this study,we recommend that diverticulitis management should be based on the severity of the disease and not on the age of the patient.展开更多
文摘AIM:To compare the natural history and course of acute diverticulitis in a younger age group with an older population and to evaluate whether younger patients should be managed differently. METHODS:This study was a retrospective review of 157 patients treated with acute diverticulitis between January 1,2004 and December 31,2007.Diverticulitis was stratified according to the Hinchey classification. Patients were divided into 2 populations:group A≤ 50 years(n=31) ;group B>50 years(n=126) .Mean patient follow-up was 15 mo. RESULTS:The median age was 60 years.A significantly higher proportion of patients in group B presented with complicated diverticulitis(36.5%vs 12.9%,P=0.01) .Recurrence was more frequent in group A(25.8%vs 11.1%,P=0.03) and the mean time-torecurrence was shorter(12 mo vs 28 mo,P=0.26) . The most severe recurrent episodes of acute diverticulitis were classified as Hinchey stageⅠand none of the patients required emergency surgery.In multivariate analysis,only age(P=0.024) was identified as an independent prognostic factor for recurrence. CONCLUSION:Based on the results of this study,we recommend that diverticulitis management should be based on the severity of the disease and not on the age of the patient.
