Date of Award
Spring 2022
Degree Name
Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)
Department
Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences
First Advisor
Samantha Creamer, PA-C
Abstract
Acute diverticulitis is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases worldwide and is increasing in prevalence. Symptoms include abdominal pain, fever, changes in bowel habits, nausea, and vomiting. Traditionally, this disease has been treated with antibiotics, but new research has emerged that has provided evidence that it may be safe to treat acute uncomplicated cases without antibiotics. This represents an area of medicine where it may be possible to reduce the use of unnecessary antibiotics and, therefore, contribution to bacterial antibiotic resistance. The current research studies do have some limitations and future studies with larger, more diverse patient populations and long-term follow-up will likely need to be conducted before any widespread changes in practice are made in the medical community of the United States.
Recommended Citation
Gump, Madison, "Antibiotics May Be Unnecessary in the Treatment of Acute Uncomplicated Diverticulitis" (2022). Capstone Showcase. 100.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2022/pa/100
Included in
Digestive, Oral, and Skin Physiology Commons, Gastroenterology Commons, Other Medical Sciences Commons
Antibiotics May Be Unnecessary in the Treatment of Acute Uncomplicated Diverticulitis
Acute diverticulitis is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases worldwide and is increasing in prevalence. Symptoms include abdominal pain, fever, changes in bowel habits, nausea, and vomiting. Traditionally, this disease has been treated with antibiotics, but new research has emerged that has provided evidence that it may be safe to treat acute uncomplicated cases without antibiotics. This represents an area of medicine where it may be possible to reduce the use of unnecessary antibiotics and, therefore, contribution to bacterial antibiotic resistance. The current research studies do have some limitations and future studies with larger, more diverse patient populations and long-term follow-up will likely need to be conducted before any widespread changes in practice are made in the medical community of the United States.