Diverticulitis Research
Investigation of Medical Management to Prevent Episodes of Diverticulitis (IMPEDE) trial
This project is a feasibility RCT comparing a Mediterranean-style food pattern with standard guidance on fiber in patients with diverticulitis. If successful, this study will provide the groundwork for a large-scale intervention for the prevention of recurrent diverticulitis.
What is Diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis is one of the most common gastrointestinal indications for inpatient hospital admission, outpatient clinic and emergency room visits, and colon surgery. At least 20% of individuals with an initial episode of diverticulitis will have one or more painful and unpredictable recurrences. Unfortunately, there is no proven pharmacologic means to decrease the risk of diverticulitis.
Large, prospective, observational studies have identified diet and lifestyle risk factors for incident diverticulitis. However, these modifiable risk factors have not been evaluated for secondary prevention.
Studies of diet and plasma inflammatory markers suggest that chronic, systemic inflammation is a potential mechanism that underlies the dietary effects on diverticulitis development.
The Mediterranean diet pattern is comparable to diets associated with primary prevention of diverticulitis, is more strongly associated with reduced inflammation, and is familiar to providers and many patients.
Thus, the researchers propose to conduct a randomized trial (n=75) of a USDA Healthy Med- style Food Pattern versus standardized guidance on fiber intake for patients with diverticulitis to evaluate the feasibility of this dietary intervention including willingness to randomize and adherence to a Med-style dietary pattern.
The research project has received NIH funding, with MPIs Drs. Lisa Strate and David Flum.
