Rifaximina nel trattamento della malattia diverticolare: potenziale terapeutico ed economico

Abstract

INTRODUZIONEIl termine "malattia diverticolare" si riferisce a un concetto clinico usato a proposito di pazienti affetti da diverticolosi, sia sintomatica che asintomatica [1]. La diverticolosi del colon è una patologia acquisita caratterizzata dalla formazione di un gran numero di estroflessioni sacciformi della parete dell'intestino, localizzate più frequentemente nel colon sinistro, e in particolare nel colon sigmoideo.Queste erniazioni, dette appunto diverticoli, sono in genere causate da un'esagerata pressione all'interno del lume intestinale (diverticolo da pulsione) o, in casi limitati, da un'aderenza infiammatoria tra un organo cavo e linfonodi vicini (diverticolo da trazione). Si Rifaximina nel trattamento della malattia diverticolare: potenziale terapeutico ed economico Orietta Zaniolo*, Mario Eandi* ABSTRACTAntibiotics are commonly used to treat major inflammatory complications of diverticular disease, but apparently there is no rationale for the use of antibiotic therapy in uncomplicated disease, where an inflammatory component is by definition excluded. Some observations suggest a possible role of gut microflora in determining some symptoms related to diverticular disease: bacterial overgrowth, amplifying gas production and bacterial degradation of fibres, could determine bloating, pain and high fecal density. Therefore a beneficial antibiotic action on diverticular disease symptoms can be hypothesized. In this paper pharmacokinetic, pharmacodinamic and therapeutic potential of an intestinal antibiotic, rifaximin, are reviewed. Rifaximin is a rifamycin derivative which acts by inhibiting bacterial ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis. It is virtually unabsorbed after oral administration and in vitro data indicate it to possess a broad spectrum of action; bacterial resistance during exposure to rifaximin has been reported but its clinical importance remains to be fully defined. The results of placebo-controlled clinical trials show that cyclic administration of rifaximin is more effective in reducing symptoms and in preventing complications than fibre supplementation alone; the drug appears to be well tolerated and safe. We consider the clinical implications and economical impact of diverticulosis on the Italian National Health System and the patient, with a particular attention on the cost of hospitalization, surgery and global management of diverticulitis and other common disease complications. The hypothetic savings correlated to the reduction of complications incidence, attainable with rifaximin use have been calculated and the comparison between the different acquisition costs of the drug frequently used to treat the diverticular disease is provided. Finally we reviewed some quality of life trials in which the psychological and sociological influence of the disease symptoms and treatments on the patient are assessed.Keywords: diverticular disease, rifaximin, antibiotics, economical impact Farmeconomia e percorsi terapeutici 2005; 6 (1): 5-20 PROFILO *Farmacologia Clinica, Università di Torino rit...