Diverticulosis

This article is about intestinal pouches that are not inflamed. For inflamed pouches, see Diverticulitis.
See also: Segmental colitis associated with diverticulosis
Diverticulosis
Diverticulosis as seen endoscopically
SpecialtyGeneral surgery

Diverticulosis is the condition of having multiple pouches (diverticula) in the colon that are not inflamed. These are outpockets of the colonic mucosa and submucosa through weaknesses of muscle layers in the colon wall.[1] Diverticula do not cause symptoms in most people.[2] Diverticular disease occurs when diverticula become clinically inflamed, a condition known as diverticulitis.[3]

Diverticula typically occur in the sigmoid colon, which is commonplace for increased pressure. The left side of the colon is more commonly affected in the United States while the right side is more commonly affected in Asia.[4] Diagnosis is often during routine colonoscopy or as an incidental finding during CT scan.[2]

It is common in Western countries with about half of those over the age of 60 affected in Canada and the United States.[4] Diverticula are uncommon before the age of 40, and increase in incidence beyond that age.[5] Rates are lower in Africa;[4] the reasons for this remain unclear but may involve the greater prevalence of a high fiber diet in contrast with the lower-fiber diet characteristic of many Western populations.[6]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Feuerstein2016 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b "Diverticular Disease". www.niddk.nih.gov. September 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  3. ^ Tursi A, Papa A, Danese S (September 2015). "Review article: the pathophysiology and medical management of diverticulosis and diverticular disease of the colon". Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 42 (6): 664–84. doi:10.1111/apt.13322. PMID 26202723. S2CID 24568867.
  4. ^ a b c Tursi, A (March 2016). "Diverticulosis today: unfashionable and still under-researched". Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology. 9 (2): 213–28. doi:10.1177/1756283X15621228. PMC 4749857. PMID 26929783.
  5. ^ Comparato G, Pilotto A, Franzè A, Franceschi M, Di Mario F (2007). "Diverticular disease in the elderly". Digestive Diseases. 25 (2): 151–9. doi:10.1159/000099480. PMID 17468551.
  6. ^ Painter NS, Burkitt DP (May 1971). "Diverticular disease of the colon: a deficiency disease of Western civilization". British Medical Journal. 2 (5759): 450–4. doi:10.1136/bmj.2.5759.450. PMC 1796198. PMID 4930390.