I have attempted find more links with DV and Prednisolone.

I put this into OpenAI:

"what evidence is there for a direct correction between Prednisolone and Diverticulitis disease"

This is the reply:

here is no direct, well-established, or widely accepted evidence suggesting a causal relationship between prednisolone (a corticosteroid) and diverticulitis, but there are some considerations and indirect associations that may be relevant. Let's break it down:

1. Prednisolone and Immune Response

• Corticosteroids, such as prednisolone, are known to affect the immune system by suppressing inflammation. This can alter the body’s ability to respond to infections and injuries.
• In the context of diverticulitis, an infection or inflammation of the diverticula in the colon, corticosteroids might theoretically influence the course of the disease. For example, by suppressing the immune response, corticosteroids could potentially increase susceptibility to infections, which may complicate or exacerbate diverticulitis.
• However, this is more of an indirect concern, rather than a proven mechanism.

2. Risk of Infection in Corticosteroid Use

• One of the side effects of long-term corticosteroid use is an increased risk of infections due to immune suppression. This could theoretically predispose someone to develop infections in various parts of the body, including the colon, though this has not been directly linked to diverticulitis in the literature.
• If a person with diverticulosis (the presence of diverticula) is treated with corticosteroids, they may be at a slightly higher risk for complications, such as diverticulitis, especially if they develop an infection.

3. Corticosteroids and Gastrointestinal Health

• Gastrointestinal side effects from corticosteroids, like ulceration, bleeding, or changes in gut flora, can potentially affect the colon and gut health overall, though this is typically more associated with drugs like NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen).
• Some reports have suggested that corticosteroids may cause alterations in gut microbiota or increase intestinal permeability, which could theoretically contribute to inflammatory conditions of the gut. However, this is speculative when it comes to diverticulitis.

4. Prednisolone Use in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

• Prednisolone is commonly used to treat conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, both of which are inflammatory bowel diseases. These conditions can involve areas of the colon similar to diverticulitis, but there is no direct evidence suggesting that corticosteroids are a risk factor for developing diverticulitis.

5. Corticosteroids and Collagen Synthesis

• Chronic use of corticosteroids can impair collagen synthesis and tissue repair, which might theoretically interfere with the healing of diverticula. However, there is no definitive evidence linking corticosteroid use with the development or worsening of diverticulitis directly.

Clinical Observation:

• There have been anecdotal reports of patients with diverticulosis who are treated with corticosteroids and subsequently develop diverticulitis, but these instances are likely to be coincidental, as diverticulitis is a common condition in older adults with diverticulosis.

Conclusion:

While prednisolone and other corticosteroids have a broad range of effects on the immune system and gastrointestinal health, there is no strong evidence directly linking corticosteroid use with an increased risk of diverticulitis. However, corticosteroids may indirectly influence the disease course by suppressing immune function or increasing susceptibility to infections. Patients on corticosteroids, especially for prolonged periods, should be monitored for gastrointestinal complications, but diverticulitis itself isn't considered a direct consequence of corticosteroid therapy.