Prognosis

Most patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis recover following medical treatment and do not require surgical intervention.

Recurrent disease

Diverticular disease recurs in 5% to 11% of patients over 5 years following an episode of uncomplicated diverticulitis.[6]​ Risk factors for recurrence seem to be younger age at presentation, female sex, Asian ethnicity, obesity, tobacco smoking, previous episode of recurrent disease, and abscess formation or complicated disease at index diagnosis.[6][103][104]​ Recurrent disease is associated with high mortality, and response to therapy is less favourable.

Post-surgery

Following elective surgical treatment, up to 25% of patients continue to have ongoing pain or recurrent diverticular disease.[12]​ Younger age and persistence of symptoms post-operatively are risk factors for recurrent diverticular disease.[105]​ Persistent symptoms and bowel dysfunction are common after emergency surgery for perforated diverticular disease.[106][107]

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer