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Randomised controlled trial of oral versus intravenous therapy for clinically diagnosed acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
ISRCTN ISRCTN42685776
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier
Public title Randomised controlled trial of oral versus intravenous therapy for clinically diagnosed acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Scientific title
Acronym N/A
Serial number at source N/A
Study hypothesis Acute uncomplicated diverticulitis is a disease where outpouchings or blisters (termed Diverticulae) of the large bowel become inflamed resulting in pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen. Acute uncomplicated diverticulitis is currently treated with antibiotics although whether the antibiotics should be given through the veins or via the mouth is not known. Answering this question may allow treatment of the condition as an outpatient in the future.

Diverticulosis affects 5% of western society by the fifth decade, its prevalence increasing to over 50% in the ninth. As less than a quarter of acute admissions necessitate surgery, medical therapy remains the mainstay of management in the majority of cases. There are no prospective data to guide the identification of a specific cohort which may be managed with an oral antibiotic regimen, nor the efficacy of a specific antibiotic regimen.

The authors hypothesise that an oral antibiotic and fluid regimen is equally effective as intravenous antibiotics and 'bowel rest' in acute uncomplicated diverticulitis.
Ethics approval Approved by the Waterford Regional Ethics Board in 2002.
Study design Multi-centre randomised controlled trial.
Countries of recruitment Ireland
Disease/condition/study domain Acute uncomplicated diverticulitis
Participants - inclusion criteria 1. Patients presented with a clinical syndrome of left iliac fossa pain and local tenderness (Hinchey type I and II)
2. Both men and women
Participants - exclusion criteria 1. Those with complicated Diverticulitis (Hinchey III and IV)
2. Those in Septic Shock
3. Allergies to antibiotics used in the trial
4. Hepatic or Renal insufficiency
5. Diagnosis is not clear
6. Co-morbid conditions necessitating prolonged hospital stay
7. Pregnant women or women who are breast feeding
Anticipated start date 01/12/2002
Anticipated end date 31/05/2004
Status of trial Completed
Patient information material
Target number of participants 76
Interventions Two intervention arms:
Intravenous arm: Intravenous ciprofloxacin (400 mg twice a day [BID]) and metranidazole (500 mg three times a day [TID]) with bowel rest for at least the first 24 hours.
Oral arm: Oral ciprofloxacin (500 mg BID) and metranidazole (400 mg TID) without complete bowel rest.

Duration of the interventions was equivalent to the length of stay, with a maximal antibiotic duration decided by the attending physician, typically 7-10 days.
Primary outcome measure(s) Resolution of symptoms. Three surrogates were used:
1. Resolution of left iliac fossa tenderness, assessed by the Wexford tenderness score (a locally validated score), daily assessment while an in-patient
2. Length of stay
3. Failure of oral therapy (requiring supplemental parenteral therapy). Follow-up: Until confirmatory/ refuting lower gastrointestinal (GI) series (endoscopic or contrast). Where such a test was not performed, follow-up to last out-patient appointment
Secondary outcome measure(s) The following were evaluated as potential surrogates for resolution:
1. Serial erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Follow-up: Until confirmatory/ refuting lower GI series (endoscopic or contrast). Where such a test was not performed, follow-up to last out-patient appointment
2. C reactive protein (CRP). Follow-up: Until confirmatory/ refuting lower GI series (endoscopic or contrast). Where such a test was not performed, follow-up to last out-patient appointment
3. White cell count (WCC). Follow-up: Until confirmatory/ refuting lower GI series (endoscopic or contrast). Where such a test was not performed, follow-up to last out-patient appointment
4. Temperature charts, daily assessment while an in-patient
Sources of funding Wexford General Hospital, Department of Surgery (Ireland)
Trial website
Publications
Contact name Dr  Paul  Ridgway
  Address Department of Surgical Oncology
Room 3-130
Princess Margaret Hospital
610 University Ave
  City/town Toronto
  Zip/Postcode M5G 2M9
  Country Canada
Sponsor Wexford General Hospital (Ireland)
  Address Department of Surgery
  City/town -
  Zip/Postcode Wexford
  Country Ireland
Date applied 24/03/2008
Last edited 11/04/2008
Date ISRCTN assigned 11/04/2008
News
28 Sept 2007: 2007 Update of NHS Trusts Clinical Trials Register now available online
Aug 2007: Searches on ISRCTN register can now be bookmarked
Jul 2007: Patient information material field added to the ISRCTN Register
May 2007: WHO launches the International Clinical Trials Registry Search Portal
3 Apr 2007: Q&As regarding trial registration in the UK
4 Dec 2006: Trials taking place in the UK collated in 'Gateway'

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