Arthritis as a rare extra-intestinal manifestation of acute sigmoid diverticulitis

Background: A causal association between acute diverticulitis of the sigmoi d colon and arthritis has rarely been reported. Case Report. We report the case of a 60-year-old patient who developed migrating arthritis of the knee and ankle during the recurring episode of acute diverticulitis of the sigm oid colon. Treatment with NSAIDs and antibiotics had little effect on joint disease, but medical treatment was successful in reducing the diverticulit is-related symptoms. Arthritis promptly improved after surgical resection o f the sigmoid colon, and 30 months later the patient is free of symptoms in the previously affected joints. Conclusions: Five cases of diverticulitis- associated arthritis have been reported. The similar case reported here rec onfirms that joint disease has a limited response to medical approaches. Co lon resection is recommended for patients with diverticulitis-associated ar thritis which does not respond promptly to antibiotic therapy. Copyright (C ) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.