None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
It is known that modern Australian society is trending towards an ageing population combined with a poor intake of foods rich in dietary fibre such as wholegrains, fruits and vegetables. Therefore, as diverticulitis is highly prevalent in older adults, it is predicted to become even more prevalent in the future. In addition, it is also suggested that the disease is now occurring more commonly in younger ages. Furthermore, the evidence that is in existence to support current dietary managements is inconsistent, of poor quality and lacking in Australia. Therefore, observational research is warranted to explore the impact of current clinical practice in Australia upon patient and healthcare related outcomes. In adults admitted to an acute-care hospital with acute, uncomplicated diverticulitis in South-East Queensland, Australia, it is hypothesised that: 1). Participants who are prescribed and adhere to liberalised diets during hospital admission have less healthcare use and no difference in gastrointestinal symptom scores compared to those prescribed restricted (fluid only) diets. 2). Participants who follow a high fibre diet following discharge have lower healthcare use and gastrointestinal symptom scores than those following a standard diet. A Low or Negligible Risk (LNR) research application for ethical approval has been submitted as this study intends to be of low risk to research participants as the likelihood and severity of any risks to the patient is low. Possible risks include using vulnerable, sick patients as the study population as well as fatigue, inconvenience or discomfort of talking about personal issues. To minimise risks, high risk patients will be excluded from the study, patient involvement will be as minimal as possible by accessing medical records and eligible participants will be asked to provide informed consent. Data will also be gathered and kept in a de-identifiable format where possible with identifiable data stored in password protected electronic files or a locked filing cabinet. Researchers will be the only ones to have access to this information. The intended outcomes of this study include a greater understanding of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis. Future research that can stem from findings of this study, may then help to formulate best practice guidelines for the dietary management of acute, uncomplicated diverticulitis as such is currently non-existent. This would help to achieve cohesion across treating doctors and dietitians. It is believed that theses outcomes and associated potential benefits that this study can provide will far outweigh the possible minimal risks.
Interventions
Acute, uncomplicated diverticulitis is a gastrointestinal disorder for which dietary management guidelines exist, but are based on inconsistent, poor quality evidence. Patients admitted to the surgical ward between January 2017 and March 2019 with acute, uncomplicated diverticulitis, at an acute care hospital in South-east Queensland will be observed from admission to 6-months post discharge.
Usual practice will be observed, where dietary prescription will be given at the clinical discretion o
Acute, uncomplicated diverticulitis is a gastrointestinal disorder for which dietary management guidelines exist, but are based on inconsistent, poor quality evidence. Patients admitted to the surgical ward between January 2017 and March 2019 with acute, uncomplicated diverticulitis, at an acute care hospital in South-east Queensland will be observed from admission to 6-months post discharge. Usual practice will be observed, where dietary prescription will be given at the clinical discretion of the treating gastroenterologist and dietary advice will be provided accordingly by dietitians external to the project. Regular treatment will be observed and no intervention will be applied by researchers. Observations will be made and statistical analysis will be carried out to determine whether differences in patient outcomes exist depending on: 1). The diet prescription they receive during admission (restricted [nil by mouth, clear fluid or free fluid hospital foodservice diet codes for the first 48hours post admission] or liberalised [soft, low fibre or full hospital foodservice diet codes for the first 48hours post admission]); and 2). The dietary fibre intake post discharge (high fibre diet [meeting or exceeding RDI of 30g for men and 25g for women] or standard diet [dietary fibre intake <RDI).
Sponsors
Bond University
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Adult inpatients (18 years old and above) at Robina Hospital, Queensland, admitted to the surgical ward with a diagnosis of uncomplicated diverticulitis (Hinchey 0-Ib) diagnosed via CT scan and managed with conservative treatment (no surgery performed or drainage placed). A translator will be sought for non-English speaking patients.
Exclusion criteria
Patients will be excluded from the study if they are pregnant; unable to give informed consent; do not have CT-proven diagnosis; or are diagnosed to have complicated diverticulitis (Hinchey II and above).
Outcome results
None listed