Observational versus antibiotic therapy for acute uncomplicated diverticulitis: A non-inferiority meta-analysis based on a Delphi consensus.

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to determine if observational therapy is noninferior to antibiotics for acute uncomplicated diverticulitis according to clinically relevant margins. Methods MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane were systematically searched by 2 independent reviewers to identify comparative studies of observational therapy versus antibiotics for acute uncomplicated diverticulitis. Non-inferiority margins (ΔNI) for each outcome were based on Delphi consensus including 50 patients and 55 physicians: persistent diverticulitis (ΔNI = 4.0%), progression to complicated diverticulitis (ΔNI = 3.0%), and time to recovery (ΔNI = 5 days). Risk differences and mean differences were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. One-sided 90% confidence intervals and Z-tests were used to determine non-inferiority. A sensitivity analysis was performed, excluding patients post hoc determined to have complicated diverticulitis. Results Nine studies (3 randomized controlled trials, 6 observational studies) met inclusion criteria: observational therapy (n = 2,011) versus antibiotics (n = 1,144). Observational therapy was noninferior to antibiotics regarding the risk of persistent diverticulitis (pooled risk differences: -0.39%, 90% CI -3.22 to 2.44%, ΔNI: 4.0%, PNI Conclusion According to clinically relevant ΔNIs, observational therapy was noninferior to antibiotics for the treatment of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis with regard to persistent diverticulitis and progression to complicated diverticulitis.