AB092. SOH25_AB_213. Acute diverticulitis: a nationwide cohort study in the Republic of Ireland

Background: Acute diverticulitis (AD) is a common acute general surgical presentation. Latest evidence suggests that acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (AUD) does not require inpatient management. We aim to assess current practices surrounding acute uncomplicated diverticulitis in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) as well as factors associated with acute complicated diverticulitis (ACD).

Methods: All adult emergency admissions with acute diverticulitis in ROI from January 1^st 2017 to August 1^st 2024 were identified retrospectively via National Quality Assurance and Improvement System (NQAIS) database. Anonymized patient characteristics and admission information were extracted for statistical analysis.

Results: A total of 25,420 patients admitted with AD. Approximately 81.2% with AUD and 18.8% with ACD. Median age and mean length of stay are 63 years and 4.3 days in AUD respectively and 59 years and 13 days in ACD respectively. Regression analysis shows that in AUD, age and severe Charlson score (SCS) is independently associated with longer length of stay (LOS) and higher 7 days, 30-day admissions, and more emergency readmission in 12 months (P<0.001). Lower age, male gender, and SCS are independently associated with ACD.

Conclusions: Older and severely comorbid patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis require longer hospital stays and more frequent readmissions. This must be taken into account in the shift towards outpatient management of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis. Younger, more comorbid, male patients are factors associated with complicated diverticulitis.

Keywords: Diverticular disease; diverticulitis; emergency admission; general surgery; retrospective review