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Clinical Trials/NCT03146091
NCT03146091CompletedNot Applicable

Study on Outpatient Treatment of Uncomplicated Diverticulitis With Either Antibiotic or Nonantibiotic Treatment: a Randomized Pilot Trial

Jewish General Hospital2 sites in 1 country33 target enrollmentStarted: May 20, 2017Last updated:
Conditions

Trial Snapshot

Phase
Not Applicable
Status
Completed
Enrollment
33
Locations
2
Primary Endpoint
Participants' retention rate as assessed by the number of participants retained in the study from screening to the end of follow-up.

Study Overview

Brief Summary

Uncomplicated sigmoid diverticulitis is a common disease in Western countries. Traditional management includes inpatient administration of either oral or intravenous antibiotics with resumption of oral intake as symptoms improve. Recent literature has however questioned both inpatient and antibiotic treatment. Indeed, both inpatient and antibiotic treatment are associated with non-negligible risks to patients. The aim of this trial is to assess the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial designed to determine whether nonantibiotic treatment of uncomplicated diverticulitis is safe in the outpatient setting.

Detailed Description

Uncomplicated sigmoid diverticulitis is a common disease in Western countries. Traditional management includes inpatient administration of either oral or intravenous antibiotics with resumption of oral intake as symptoms improve. Recent literature has however questioned both inpatient and antibiotic treatment. Indeed, both inpatient and antibiotic treatment are associated with non-negligible risks to patients. The aim of this trial is to assess the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial designed to determine whether nonantibiotic treatment of uncomplicated diverticulitis is safe in the outpatient setting. It is designed as a pilot non-inferiority blinded randomized controlled trial. The estimated length of this pilot trial is 1 year. The target population is capable adults of who have a CT-diagnosed episode of uncomplicated diverticulitis who present to the Jewish General Hospital Emergency room.

Study Design

Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility Criteria

Ages
18 Years to 90 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Age ≥ 18 and < 90 years old
  • Capable of giving informed consent
  • Lower abdominal pain and/or tenderness
  • Confirmed affection of left colon, including descending and sigmoid colon
  • Confirmed episode of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis on computed tomography (CT) scan defined as wall edema with or without fat stranding. Limited pericolic air with bubbles less than 5 mm in size, and less than 5cm from the colon wall, will be included as uncomplicated diverticulitis. Scan must be performed prior to enrollment and assessment for illegibility. The initial scan is not a study-specific procedure.

Exclusion Criteria

  • CT scan shows complicated diverticulitis as defined by the presence of intraperitoneal free perforation (i.e. intraperitoneal contrast extravasation if intra-rectal contrast given, free air under diaphragms, disseminated intraperitoneal air), abscess, obstruction, fistulisation, and phlegmon.
  • Suspicion of colorectal cancer on CT scan
  • Immunosuppression (including but not exclusively insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, chronic liver disease, ongoing chemotherapy, chronic renal failure with hemodialysis, corticosteroid and immunosuppressive medication)
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • Any comorbid infection requiring
  • High fever (≥ 38.5 ºC)
  • Significant leukocytosis (> 15 g/dL)
  • Abdominal pain worsening in the emergency, impeding ambulation and/or eating
  • Evidence of generalized peritonitis on physical exam
  • Intolerance to oral intake and/or persistent vomiting
  • Marked abdominal distension and/or signs of ileus on CT scan
  • Noncompliance/unreliability for return visits/lack of support system
  • Failed outpatient treatment not previously included in study within last 30 days
  • Cognitive, social or psychiatric impairment
  • For patients aged 65 years or older, a Charlson Comorbidity Score ≥ 5 as calculated on the following website: https://www.thecalculator.co/health/Charlson-Comorbidity-Index-(CCI)-Calculator-765.html 19-20.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Participants' retention rate as assessed by the number of participants retained in the study from screening to the end of follow-up.

Time Frame: 1 year

The primary outcome pertains to the feasibility of a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial. The study group's main concern is that accrual will be impeded by the important change in clinical management that nonantibiotic treatment of uncomplicated diverticulitis requires. Also, the study group is concerned that patients may be lost to follow-up. For these reasons, the primary outcome is the retention rate of patients from screening to the end of follow-up. The rate will be calculated according to (1) the proportion of participants screened but not randomized, and (2) the proportion of participants lost to follow-up.

Secondary Outcomes

  • Treatment failure(1 year)

Investigators

Sponsor Class
Other
Responsible Party
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator

Dr. Marylise Boutros

Colorectal Surgery Attending Staff, Assistant Professor of Surgery at McGill University

Jewish General Hospital

Study Sites (2)

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