Patients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease – treatment in the general practitioner’s office

Colonic diverticula, which are outpouchings of the intestinal wall, are one of the most frequently identified colon abnormalities among patients reporting to gastroenterologists or general practitioners. While most people remain asymptomatic, about 25% of patients will develop diverticular disease of varying degrees of severity - from symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) to a complicated disease (diverticulitis, haemorrhage). Typical SUDD symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, and change of bowel rhythm. Very often it is general practitioners who deal with the problem of differentiating between SUDD and irritable bowel syndrome. The treatment strategy for SUDD includes the elimination of reported symptoms, improving the quality of life of patients and preventing complications. The therapy includes the modification of lifestyle, dietary fibre, and rifaximin. Despite promising results, there is a need to develop further research to determine the optimal therapy scheme, as well as to determine the prognostic factors of the severity of the disease.