Long-term follow-up of the AVOD randomized trial of antibiotic avoidance in uncomplicated diverticulitis

Background The aim of this study was to assess the long-term results in patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis who had participated in the Antibiotics in Acute Uncomplicated Diverticulitis (AVOD) RCT, which randomized patients with CT-verified left-sided acute uncomplicated diverticulitis to management without or with antibiotics. Methods The medical records of patients who had participated in the AVOD trial were reviewed for long-term results such as recurrences, complications and surgery. Quality-of-life questionnaires (EQ-5D (TM)) were sent to patients, who were also contacted by telephone. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis of clinical outcomes. Results A total of 556 of the 623 patients (89 center dot 2 per cent) were followed up for a median of 11 years. There were no differences between the no-antibiotic and antibiotic group in recurrences (both 31 center dot 3 per cent; P = 0 center dot 986), complications (4 center dot 4 versus 5 center dot 0 per cent; P = 0 center dot 737), surgery for diverticulitis (6 center dot 2 versus 7 center dot 1 per cent; P = 0 center dot 719) or colorectal cancer (0 center dot 4 versus 2 center dot 1 per cent; P = 0 center dot 061). The response rate for the EQ-5D (TM) was 52 center dot 8 versus 45 center dot 2 per cent respectively (P = 0 center dot 030), and no differences were found between the two groups in any of the measured dimensions. Conclusion Antibiotic avoidance for uncomplicated diverticulitis is safe in the long term.