High-fibre diet and Lactobacillus paracasei B21060 in symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease

Table 1 Demographic characteristics and baseline symptoms

	High-fibre diet plus probiotics (n = 30)	High-fibre diet alone (n = 22)	P value
Demographics
Age, yr	68.1 ± 8.6	63.8 ± 10.3	0.10
Gender, female	22 (73.3)	13 (59.1)	0.43
Body mass index	26.4 ± 2.9	24.9 ± 2.9	0.07
Smoking habit	12 (40.0)	11 (50.0)	0.66
Alcoholic drinks	9 (30.0)	11 (50.0)	0.24
Coffee	28 (93.3)	20 (90.9)	0.84
Localization of colon diverticula
Left colon	27 (90.0)	20 (90.9)	0.49
Left and right colon	3 (10.0)	2 (9.1)	0.28
Symptoms
Dyspeptic symptoms	3 (10.0)	3 (13.6)	0.97
Abdominal pain lasting < 24 h	28 (93.3)	20 (90.9)	0.48
VAS	4.6 ± 2.2	4.6 ± 2.8	0.97
Abdominal pain lasting > 24 h	14 (46.7)	8 (36.4)	0.49
VAS	6.7 ± 1.7	5.2 ± 2.8	0.12
Abdominal bloating	25 (83.3)	17 (77.2)	0.49
VAS	5.4 ± 2.2	5.2 ± 3.1	0.80

VAS: Visual analogic scale. Data are presented by mean ± SD or n (%).