Premium
Efficacy of rifaximin in the treatment of symptomatic diverticular disease of the colon. A multicentre double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial
Author(s) -
PAPI C.,
CIACO A.,
KOCH M.,
CAPURSO L.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
alimentary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.308
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1365-2036
pISSN - 0269-2813
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2036.1995.tb00348.x
Subject(s) - rifaximin , medicine , placebo , diverticular disease , bloating , gastroenterology , abdominal pain , laxative , surgery , irritable bowel syndrome , antibiotics , constipation , pathology , alternative medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
SUMMARY Background and aims : In a recent open trial we have shown the efficacy of long term intermittent administration of a poorly absorbable antibiotic (rifaximin) in obtaining symptomatic relief in uncomplicated diverticular disease of the colon. The aim of this double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial was to test our previous observations. Methods : One hundred and sixty‐eight outpatients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease were treated with fibre supplementation (glucomannan 2 g/day) plus rifaximin 400 mg b.d. for 7 days every month (84 patients), or with glucomannan 2 g/day plus placebo two tablets b.d. for 7 days every month (84 patients). Clinical evaluation was performed at admission and at three‐month intervals for 12 months. Results : After 12 months, 68.9 % of the patients treated with rifaximin were symptom‐free or mildly symptomatic, compared to 39.5% in the placebo group ( P = 0.001). Symptoms such as bloating and abdominal pain or discomfort were primarily affected by antibiotic treatment when compared with placebo ( P < 0.001). Conclusion : Rifaximin appears to be of some advantage in obtaining symptomatic relief in diverticular disease of the colon when compared with fibre supplementation alone.