Quality of life after sigmoid diverticulitis: A review

Introduction: Diverticular disease, including diverticulitis, begins when the patient becomes symptomatic. Sigmoid diverticulitis corresponds to inflammation/infection of a diverticulum of the sigmoid colon. Among diverticulosis patients, 4.3% develop diverticulitis, a frequent pathol-ogy that can entail major functional disorders. Following sigmoid diverticulitis, few studies have assessed functional disorders and quality of life, a multidimensional concept comprising physical, psychological and mental dimensions, as well as social relations.Objective: The purpose of this work is to report current published data on the quality of life of patients having had sigmoid diverticulitis.Results: Following uncomplicated sigmoid diverticulitis, long-term quality of life does not sub-stantially differ between patients having undergone antibiotic therapy and those having only received symptomatic treatment. As for patients having experienced recurrent events, their quality of life seems improved by elective surgery. Following Hinchey I/II sigmoid diverticulitis, elective surgery seems to improve quality of life, notwithstanding a 10% risk of postoperative complications. Following sigmoid diverticulitis, while emergency surgery seems not to have greater impact on quality of life than elective surgery, the surgical technique employed in an emergency setting seems to have an impact, particularly with regard to the physical and mental components of quality of life.Conclusion: Assessment of quality of life is of fundamental importance in diverticular disease and should orient operative indications, particularly in an elective context.& COPY; 2023 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Automated summary

This study reports on the quality of life of patients with sigmoid diverticulitis. The results show that long-term quality of life does not differ significantly between patients who received antibiotic therapy and those who received symptomatic treatment alone. However, for patients who experienced recurrent events, elective surgery appears to improve their quality of life. In conclusion, assessment of quality of life is important in diverticular disease and should guide operative indications.