Gastroenterology Research, ISSN 1918-2805 print, 1918-2813 online, Open Access
Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, Gastroenterol Res and Elmer Press Inc
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Short Communication

Volume 18, Number 5, October 2025, pages 262-268

Characterizing Patterns of Care for Diverticulitis Within the Contemporary Health System

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1. Relationship of CT setting, characterization of diverticulitis, and treating provider specialty. CT: computed tomography.
Figure 2.
Figure 2. Pattern of antibiotic prescription by treating provider specialty.
Figure 3.
Figure 3. Pattern of colonoscopy referral by treating provider specialty.
Figure 4.
Figure 4. Pattern of surgical referral by treating provider specialty.

Tables

Table 1. Subgroup Analysis Based on the Treatment Setting
 
Outpatient (n = 174)ED (n = 78)Inpatient (n = 58)P value
Age61 ± 1359 ± 1467 ± 13< 0.01
Sex (female), %61%56%58%0.76
Charlson Comorbidity Index 3+66 (38%)23 (29%)12 (20%)0.03
Septic at presentation17 (10%)11 (14%)21 (36%)< 0.01
Immunocompromised15 (9%)6 (8%)7 (12%)0.64

 

Table 2. Medical and Surgical Society Guidelines for Management of Diverticulitis
 
Medical Society GuidelinesSurgical Society Guidelines
American Gastroenterological Association [5]American Academy of Family Physicians [6]American College of Physicians [10]American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons [11]Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons [7]World Society of Emergency Surgery Guidelines [12]
Outpatient managementUncomplicated diverticulitisStable patient and uncomplicated diverticulitisUncomplicated diverticulitis-Uncomplicated diverticulitis in immunocompetent patientsUncomplicated diverticulitis, but should re-evaluate in 7 days
Antibiotic prescriptionSelective in uncomplicated diverticulitisSelective in outpatient setting and stable patientsSelective in uncomplicated diverticulitisSelective in uncomplicated diverticulitisSelective in uncomplicated diverticulitisSelective in uncomplicated diverticulitis
Updated colonoscopyWithin 1 year of diverticulitis episode6 weeks after an episode of diverticulitisAfter initial episode of complicated diverticulitisAfter complicated diverticulitis or atypical uncomplicated diverticulitisDo not recommend in uncomplicated diverticulitisDo not recommend in uncomplicated diverticulitis; recommend in complicated diverticulitis
Surgical referralPersonalized approachIf symptoms are severe OR complicated diverticulitisPersistent uncomplicated diverticulitis OR if complicated diverticulitisRecommend in complicated diverticulitis, but should be a personalized approachRecommend in complicated diverticulitis and high-risk immunosuppressed patientsPersonalized approach and recommend in high-risk immunosuppressed patients