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Efficacy of rifaximin in the treatment of symptomatic diverticular disease of the colon. A multicentre double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial

1995; Wiley; Volume: 9; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/j.1365-2036.1995.tb00348.x

1365-2036

Claudio Papi, A Ciaco, M. Koch, Lucio Capurso,

Urinary and Genital Oncology Studies

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.