METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients with diverticulitis admitted from November 2015 to April 2018 at a single institution was performed. Data collected included demographics, vital signs, biochemistry results, CT scan findings and management outcomes. The patients were divided into uncomplicated (U) and complicated diverticulitis (C) groups. Visceral fat area (VFA), subcutaneous fat area (SFA) and VFA/SFA ratio (V/S) were measured at L4/L5 level by the radiologist. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the association of VFA, SFA, V/S with the parameters in both U and C groups.

RESULTS: 352 patients were included in this study (U:C = 265:87). There was no significant difference in vital signs and biochemistry results in both groups. There was no significant difference in VFA, SFA, V/S ratios in both groups. In patients with V/S ratio > 0.4, they were 5.06 times more likely to undergo emergency intervention (95% CI 1.10-23.45) (p = 0.03). On multivariate analysis, a heart rate > 100 (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.2-6.7), CRP > 50 (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.9-6.0), WCC  12 (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.6) and V/S ratio > 0.4 (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.5-5.4) were predictive of complicated diverticulitis.