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Symptom patterns can distinguish diverticular disease from irritable bowel syndrome
Author(s) -
Cuomo Rosario,
Barbara Giovanni,
Andreozzi Paolo,
Bassotti Gabrio,
Casetti Tino,
Grassini Mario,
Ierardi Enzo,
Maconi Giovanni,
Marchi Santino,
Sarnelli Giovanni,
Savarino Vincenzo,
Usai Paolo,
Vozzella Letizia,
Annibale Bruno
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1111/eci.12152
Subject(s) - irritable bowel syndrome , medicine , diverticular disease , abdominal pain , gastroenterology , disease , population , environmental health
Background Diverticular disease ( DD ) and irritable bowel syndrome ( IBS ) share a similar symptom pattern. However, comparative studies are flawed by different age at onset of symptoms. We aimed to verify whether clinical features distinguish DD from IBS . Materials and methods Patients with DD or IBS , matched for age and gender (1/1) were consecutively recruited. Data on demographic parameters, voluptuary habits, inheritance of disease and symptoms were collected. Moreover, the association between pain > 24 h, and clinical parameters were evaluated. Results Ninety patients with DD and 90 patients with IBS ( DD : F / M : 46/44; age: 50.9 years; IBS : 46/44; 50.4) were selected from an overall population of 1275 patients. Only nine patients with DD (10%) fulfilled the criteria for IBS diagnosis. Abdominal pain > 24 h was more prevalent in SDD than in patients with IBS (20 vs. 6 patients; P < 0·01). Furthermore, compared with IBS , patients with DD showed more episodes of pain > 24 h requiring medical attention (80% vs. 33%; P < 0·01). Conclusions Abdominal pain lasting for more than 24 h discriminates patients with DD compared with those with IBS . Identifying this symptom could be an appropriate strategy to define the diagnosis and management.