Review
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World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. Feb 6, 2010; 1(1): 27-35
Published online Feb 6, 2010. doi: 10.4292/wjgpt.v1.i1.27
Diverticular disease: A therapeutic overview
Antonio Tursi
Antonio Tursi, Servizio di Gastroenterologia Territoriale, ASL BAT, 70031 Andria, Italy
Author contributions: Tursi A contributed solely to this article.
Correspondence to: Antonio Tursi, MD, Servizio di Gastroenterologia Territoriale, ASL BAT, Via Torino 49, 70031 Andria, Italy. antotursi@tiscali.it
Telephone: +39-883-551094 Fax: +39-883-551094
Received: August 21, 2009
Revised: October 17, 2009
Accepted: October 24, 2009
Published online: February 6, 2010
Abstract

Formation of colonic diverticula, via herniation of the colonic wall, is responsible for the development of diverticulosis. When diverticulosis becomes symptomatic, it becomes diverticular disease. Diverticular disease is common in Western and industrialized countries, and it is associated with numerous abdominal symptoms (including pain, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation). Standard medical therapies with antibiotics are currently recommended for patients affected by diverticular disease. However, changing concepts on the pathophysiology of the disease suggest that diverticular disease may share many of the hallmarks of inflammatory bowel diseases. On this basis, the addition of therapies using mesalazine and probiotics may enhance treatment efficacy by shortening the course of the disease and preventing recurrences.

Keywords: Diverticulitis; Antibiotics; 5-Aminosalicylic acid; Mesalazine; Probiotics