Clinical Characteristics of Colonic Diverticulosis in Korea: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Background/AimsThe prevalence of colonic diverticulosis has been reported to be lower in Korea than in Western countries. This disease also shows markedly different characteristics in the Korean population. We describe herein a prospective investigation, based on colonoscopic examination, of the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and factors associated with colonic diverticulosis in Korea.MethodsThe prevalence of colonic diverticulosis has been reported to be lower in Korea than in Western countries. This disease also shows markedly different characteristics in the Korean population. We describe herein a prospective investigation, based on colonoscopic examination, of the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and factors associated with colonic diverticulosis in Korea.ResultsThe overall prevalence of colonic diverticulosis was 12.1% (103 / 848). The right side of the colon was involved in 84.5% of patients (87 / 103); patients with right side diverticula were, on average, younger than those with left side diverticulosis (p = 0.014). Multiple diverticula were observed in 60.2% (62 / 103) of patients. Age greater than 60 years, a high-fat diet, and alcohol consumption were significantly associated with the presence of colonic diverticulosis (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe prevalence of colonic diverticulosis in Korea is increasing and is most commonly located in the right side of the colon. Further, old age and diet may affect the risk of development of this disease.

S2k Guidlines for Diverticular Disease and Diverticulitis: Diagnosis, Classification, and Therapy for the Radiologist

“…Overall, providing proper scientific proof of a connection between a fiber-rich diet and diverticulosis is extremely difficult. Two case control studies [15,16] and two cross-sectional studies did not find a relevant effect of fiber consumption on the occurrence of diverticulosis [17,18]. The decades-long hypothesis that increased consumption of nuts and grains resulted in an increased rate of complications in diverticular disease due to the nuts becoming trapped in the necks of the diverticula also could not be confirmed.…”

“…Also in the case of obesity, the current data regarding increased incidence of diverticulosis is inhomogeneous and questionable. Therefore, no relevant connection between BMI and diverticulosis could be shown in a prospective cohort study and a cross-sectional study [18,20].…”

Practice parameters for the treatment of colonic diverticular disease: Italian Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery (SICCR) guidelines

“…A low-fibre diet appears to play a major role as it appears from case control and prospective dietary studies [10][11][12][13]. The low-fibre hypothesis has recently been disputed [14][15][16][17]. A study on 2104 individuals undergoing colonoscopy showed that a high-fibre intake was positively associated with the presence of diverticulosis (prevalence ratio = 1.30 95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.13-1.50) [18].…”

Association between colon diverticula and hemoglobin, triglyceride and uric acid levels

“…A non-significant trend with increasing age was also revealed. The prevalence of diverticula may increase with advancing age due to structural changes in the colon wall (10,13,14). To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to report an association between diverticula and low Hb, high TG and high UA levels.…”

“…Crowe et al (11) concluded that increased dietary fiber intake decreases the risk of diverticula, but Peery et al (12) reported that fiber intake does not affect the prevalence of diverticula. With regard to risk factors, Song et al (13) attributed aging, high-fat diets and high alcohol consumption as factors increasing the risk of diverticula.…”