Diverticulitis

[Seal49]

Been on prednisone since April 23. Started at 20 mg a day and now at 10 mg. Just got diagnosed with Diverticulitis C ould using prednisone have caused this?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

There are many articles in the literature saying that steroids seem to increase the risk of developing diverticulitis - although diverticulosis is very common in the older population in general, inflammation leading to diverticulitis is relatively rare.

However, one study in Asian patients found longterm use of steroids seemed to reduce the risk of developing it - but it is less common in Asians so some other factor may be at work.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl...

One problem with being on pred may be that you don't have early symptoms of diverticulitis because of the antiinflammatory effect.

nhsinform.scot/illnesses-an...

[1951grumpa]

Several years ago At one of my GI dr. visits I was on Prednisone and MTX. And was told that some patients are on those meds for crohns, which I have besides PMR. And currently waiting to get a ct for suspected diverticulitis. He was never concerned with my taking prednisone. (Since 2011)