Does avoidance of antibiotic therapy for uncomplicated diverticulitis result in increased adverse outcomes in the longterm?
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Why is this study important?
There has been increasing controvery regarding the ideal management of uncomplicated diverticulitis. Currently, antibiotics are generally recommended though there is concern as the overprescirption of antimicrobials has led to increased rates of resistance. Historically, surgery had been an early and aggressive option; however, subsequent studies demonstrated the non-inferiroity of antibiotics over this approach. Recently, large randomized trials have questionned the usage of antibiotics in a selected group of uncomplicated diverticulitis. This study looks at long-term follow-up of a previously studied cohort of patients to determine the efficacy, if any, of anitbiotics in uncomplicated diverticulitis.
Which, if any, threats to validity are most likely to have an impact on the results and how?
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