Diverticular disease of the colon at a regional general hospital in Japan

The Epidemiology and Etiology of Right-Sided Colonic Diverticulosis: A Review

Diverticulosis of the colon is a common condition in Western countries and most patients will remain asymptomatic, but some will present with symptoms of acute diverticulitis or bleeding. Our understanding of diverticulosis is evolving but is mostly derived from diverticulosis affecting the left-sided colon. In contrast, right-sided colonic diverticulosis (RCD) is more commonly seen in Asian countries but is much less common overall. Based on the marked differences in epidemiology, it is commonly thought that these are 2 distinct disease processes. A review of the literature describing the epidemiology and etiology of RCD was performed, with a comparison to the current understanding of left-sided diverticulosis. RCD is becoming increasingly common. The epidemiology of RCD shows it to be a mostly acquired condition, and not congenital as previously thought. Many factors in the etiology of RCD are similar to that seen in left-sided diverticulosis, with a few variations. It is therefore likely that most cases of RCD represent the same disease process that is seen in the left colon.

Difference in Clinical Features between Right- and Left-Sided Acute Colonic Diverticulitis

Right colonic diverticulitis (RCD) and left colonic diverticulitis (LCD) may have different clinical features due to the different embryologic origins and anatomical locations of each colon. Therefore, we aimed to compare RCD and LCD in terms of the associated clinical features. We retrospectively collected clinical data from patients who were diagnosed with acute colonic diverticulitis based on computed tomography findings between 2011 and 2017. RCD was defined as colonic diverticulitis extending from the caecum to the transverse colon, and LCD was defined as extending from the splenic flexure to the sigmoid colon. These analyses included 667 patients with RCD and 58 patients with LCD. Relative to the patients with LCD, the patients with RCD were younger (P < 0.001), were more likely to be male (P = 0.033), were taller (P < 0.001), had lower body mass index values (P < 0.001), had less advanced modified Hinchey stages (P < 0.001), and had shorter hospital stays (P < 0.001). Having LCD rather than RCD was a predictor of recurrent colonic diverticulitis (P = 0.003). Relative to LCD, RCD occurs at younger ages, is expressed at less advanced modified Hinchey stages, and is associated with lower risks of recurrence.

Possible increased risk of colonic diverticular disease from alcohol intoxication or abuse

Alcohol consumption has been suggested as a potential risk factor for diverticular diseases. This study investigated the association between alcohol intoxication or abuse and colonic diverticular disease (CDD).Using the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2008, 51, 866 subjects newly diagnosed with alcohol intoxication were enrolled in this study as the alcohol intoxication cohort. The control (nonalcohol intoxication) cohort was frequency-matched 1:4 by age, sex and index year. Data were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model.The overall incidence of CDD (per 10,000 person-years) for the alcohol intoxication and control cohorts was 16.4 and 3.46, respectively. Compared with patients in the control cohort (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.76-3.74), those with alcohol intoxication exhibited a 3.21-fold risk of CDD; the risk was particularly higher in male patients (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 3.19, 95% CI = 2.72-3.74) and in those aged <45 years (aHR = 4.95, 95% CI = 3.91-6.27). The alcohol intoxication still had higher risk of CDD than nonalcohol intoxication, regardless of subjects without comorbidity (aHR = 3.38, 95% CI = 2.77-4.11) or with (aHR = 2.85, 95% CI = 2.25-3.61).There was a significant relationship between alcohol intoxication or abuse and CDD.

Colonic diverticular bleeding and predictors of the length of hospitalization: An observational study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

A significant percentage of patients with colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB) experience bleeding that is severe enough to necessitate prolonged hospitalization. Prolonged hospitalization causes deterioration in patients' quality of life, as well as difficulties with cost-effective utilization of medical resources, and is a financial burden to the society. Therefore, we investigated the factors associated with the length of hospitalization for the optimal management of patients hospitalized with CDB.

METHODS

This study included patients who were hospitalized for the treatment of CDB and underwent colonoscopy between July 2008 and February 2016. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between the length of hospitalization and the patients' baseline characteristics, in-hospital procedures performed, and the clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

The study included 223 patients. Diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR] 3.4, P = 0.014) and blood transfusion (OR 3.1, P = 0.0006) were identified as risk factors for prolonged hospitalization (≥ 8 days). Urgent colonoscopy (OR 0.41, P = 0.0072) predicted a shorter length of hospitalization (≤ 7 days). The study also indicated that endoscopic treatment showed a stronger association with urgent colonoscopy (OR 7.8, P < 0.0001) than with elective colonoscopy and that urgent colonoscopy was not associated with an increased rate of adverse events or re-bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with elective colonoscopy, urgent colonoscopy shortens the length of hospitalization in patients with CDB. Moreover, it is not associated with an increased rate of adverse events. Urgent colonoscopy may be impracticable in a few cases; however, if possible, aggressive urgent colonoscopy should be considered for the efficient management of the patient's hospital stay.

Effects of Burdock tea on recurrence of colonic diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding: An open-labelled randomized clinical trial

Colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB) and acute colonic diverticulitis (ACD) show high recurrence rates. The establishment of optimal strategies that prevent the recurrence of CDB and ACD is a major concern among gastroenterologists. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of burdock tea for preventing CDB and ACD recurrences. Newly diagnosed patients with CDB (n = 91) or ACD (n = 70) were randomly assigned into two groups. The experimental group received 1.5 g of burdock tea three times a day, whereas the control group did not receive any treatment. The median (interquartile range) of observation for recurrence of CDB or ACD was 22.0 (14.1) months and 30.3 (18.6), respectively. The burdock tea treatment showed significant preventive effects on recurrence of ACD. A lower ACD recurrence rate (5/47 [10.6%] vs. 14/44 [31.8%]) and longer recurrence-free duration was observed in the burdock tea group (59.3 months [95% CI: 54.0–64.7] vs. 45.1 months [95% CI: 37.1–53.0] by the Kaplan-Meier analysis; p = 0.012 by log rank test) than in the control group, although there was no significant preventive effects on the CDB recurrence. This randomized clinical trial demonstrated that daily intake of burdock tea could be an effective strategy for prevention of ACD recurrence, but not for CDB recurrence.

Initial Management of Colonic Diverticular Bleeding: Observational Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Although colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB) often ceases spontaneously, re-bleeding occurs in about 30%. Bleeding diverticulum can be treated directly by endoscopic hemostasis; however, it is difficult to perform colonoscopy in all cases with limited medical resource and certain risks. The aim of this study was to clarify who should undergo colonoscopy as well as appropriate methods of initial management in CDB patients.

METHODS

A total of 285 patients who were diagnosed as CDB and underwent colonoscopy from March 2004 to October 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. First, the association between re-bleeding and various factors including patients' background and initial management were analyzed. Second, the examination conditions that influenced bleeding point identification were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of 285 patients, 187 were men and 98 were women. Median age was 75 years, and the median observation period was 17.5 months. Re-bleeding was observed in 79 patients (28%). A history of CDB (OR 2.1, p = 0.0090) and chronic kidney disease (CKD; OR 2.3, p = 0.035) were risk factors, and bleeding point identification (OR 0.20, p = 0.0037) was a preventive factor for re-bleeding. Bleeding point identification significantly reduced approximately 80% of re-bleeding. Furthermore, extravasation on CT (OR 3.7, p = 0.031) and urgent colonoscopy (OR 5.3, p < 0.001) were predictors for identification of bleeding point. Compared to bleeding point identification of 11% in all patients who underwent colonoscopy, identification rate in those who had extravasation on CT and underwent urgent colonoscopy was as high as 70%.

CONCLUSIONS

Contrast-enhanced CT upon arrival is suggested, and patients with extravasation on CT would be good candidates for urgent colonoscopy, as well as patients who have a history of CDB and CKD.

The Burden of Diverticular Disease and Its Complications: West versus East

Background

Colonic diverticulosis is prevalent and increasing not only in Western but also in Asian countries. Diverticulosis can be complicated by diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding. Diverticular disease is a burdensome digestive disease, because it is a major cause of hospital admissions and is associated with significant health-care costs.

Summary

The incidence of diverticulosis increases with age. Most cases of diverticulosis in Western countries involve the left side of the colon, while diverticulosis is predominantly present on the right side of the colon in Asian countries. The incidence of diverticulitis also increases with age. Diverticulitis is predominantly located on the left side of the colon in Western countries, while it is predominantly located on the right side of the colon in Asian countries. The overall complication rate is higher in left-sided than in right-sided diverticulitis. The incidence of diverticular bleeding also increases with age. The right colon is the source of diverticular bleeding in more than 50% of patients in Western countries. In Asian countries, age greater than 70 years and both-sided diverticulosis increase the bleeding risk.

Key Messages

In Western countries, diverticulosis and diverticulitis are predominantly located on the left side of the colon, whereas they are predominantly present on the right side of the colon in Asian countries. Diverticular bleeding is predominantly located on the right side in Western countries, and both-sided diverticulosis increases the risk of bleeding in Asian countries. Diverticular disease with complications requires admission and operation; moreover, it recurs frequently. Therefore, diverticular disease is associated with a significant economic burden in terms of health-care costs and resource utilization.

Barium impaction therapy with balloon occlusion for deep colonic diverticular bleeding: a three-case series

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

In hemostasis for colonic diverticular bleeding, the incidence of recurrent bleeding is higher in deep colonic diverticulum than in shallow. We aimed to improve and evaluate barium impaction therapy using an enteroscopic overtube with balloon.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

We performed barium impaction therapy in three patients with a diagnosis of deep colonic diverticular bleeding. The tip of the overtube was inserted to reach the cecum using the conventional method. After deflating the colon, the enteroscope was removed. The balloon in the tube was inflated, followed by barium filling via the tube. Sufficient pressure was applied by ensuring no regurgitation into the small intestine side. The entire colon was continuously filled with barium in stages.

RESULTS

Post-treatment bleeding was controllable without adverse events in all three patients.

CONCLUSION

This novel barium impaction therapy using an enteroscopic overtube with balloon was effectively performed without adverse events.

Characteristics of Colonic Diverticulitis and Factors Associated With Complications: A Japanese Multicenter, Retrospective, Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the epidemiology of diverticulitis in Japan. Additional information is needed about its clinical characteristics and the factors associated with complications of diverticulitis.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to determine the clinical characteristics of diverticulitis and factors associated with its complications in Japanese patients.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective, multicenter, large-scale, cross-sectional study.

SETTINGS

All of the consecutive patients in 21 Japanese hospitals with a final diagnosis of acute colonic diverticulitis were included in this study.

PATIENTS

A total of 1112 patients, including 658 men and 454 women, with a mean age of 54.8 years, who were diagnosed by CT and/or ultrasonography between January 2006 and May 2011, were included in this study.

INTERVENTIONS

Data on medical history, investigations, treatments, and prognosis were collected using a standard form to create a dedicated database.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Clarification of the clinical characteristics of Japanese patients with acute diverticulitis was the main outcome measured.

RESULTS

Diverticulitis was detected mainly in men and women aged 40 to 60 years. Although diverticulitis more frequently affected the right colon (70.1%), diverticulitis of the left colon was significantly more frequent (61.0%) in elderly patients. Of the 1112 patients with diverticulitis, 179 (16.1%) developed complications, including abscess formation, perforation, stenosis, and/or fistula, some of which required surgical treatment, such as drainage or colonic resection. The duration of hospitalization (24.1 ± 19.5 days) and mortality rate (2.8%) were significantly higher in patients with versus without complications. Factors associated with complications were fever (>38.5°C), involvement of the left colon, higher age, and delayed diagnosis.

LIMITATIONS

Limitations included the nonconsideration of diverticulitis treatment, the effect of dietary fiber, and the retrospective design of the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Complications were more frequent in elderly men with left-sided diverticulitis, although diverticulitis was more common in middle-aged people and on the right side of the colon. Factors associated with complications were fever, site of involvement, older age, and longer time until diagnosis.

Trend and risk factors of diverticulosis in Japan: age, gender, and lifestyle/metabolic-related factors may cooperatively affect on the colorectal diverticula formation

BACKGROUND

Despite the marked increase of diverticulosis, its risk factors have not been adequately elucidated. We therefore aim to identify significantly associated factors with diverticulosis. We also aim to investigate the present state of diverticulosis in Japan.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records from 1990 to 2010 that included the data of consecutive 62,503 asymptomatic colonoscopy examinees from the general population in Japan. Most recent 3,327 examinees were analyzed with 16 background factors.

RESULTS

Among the 62,503 subjects (47,325 men and 15,178 women; 52.1 ± 9.2 years old), diverticulosis was detected in 11,771 subjects (18.8%; 10,023 men and 1,748 women). The incidences of diverticulosis in 1990-2000 and 2001-2010 were respectively 13.0% (3,771 of 29,071) and 23.9% (8,000 of 33,432): the latter was much higher than the former in all age groups and for both genders. Considering the anatomical locations of colorectal diverticula, left-sided ones have markedly increased with age but not significantly changed with times. Univariate analyses of the 3,327 subjects showed significant association of diverticulosis with four basic factors (age, sex, body mass index, blood pressure), three life style-related factor (smoking, drinking, severe weight increase in adulthood), and two blood test values (triglyceride, HbA1c). The multiple logistic analysis calculating standardized coefficients (β) and odds ratio (OR) demonstrated that age (β = 0.217-0.674, OR = 1.24-1.96), male gender (β = 0.185, OR = 1.20), smoking (β = 0.142-0.200, OR = 1.15-1.22), severe weight increase in adulthood (β = 0.153, OR = 1.17), HbA1c (β = 0.136, OR = 1.15), drinking (β = 0.109, OR = 1.11), and serum triglyceride (β = 0.098, OR = 1.10) showed significantly positive association with diverticulosis whereas body mass index and blood pressure did not.

CONCLUSIONS

The large-scale data of asymptomatic colonoscopy examinees from the general population from 1990 to 2010 indicated that the prevalence of diverticulosis is still increasing in Japan. Age, male gender, smoking, severe weight increase in adulthood, serum HbA1c, drinking, and serum triglyceride showed significant positive association with diverticulosis.

Prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic colorectal diverticulosis in Taiwan

Background

To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic colorectal diverticulosis in Taiwanese general population.

Methods

From January 2009 to December 2011, consecutive asymptomatic subjects undergoing a health check-up were evaluated by colonoscopy. The colorectal diverticulosis was assessed, and a medical history and demographic data were obtained from each subject. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to search the risk factors of colorectal diverticulosis.

Results

Of the 1899 asymptomatic subjects, the prevalence of colorectal diverticulosis was 13.5%. On univariate logistic regression analysis, age over 60 years old, male, adenomatous polyp, current smoking and heavy alcohol consumption were significantly associated with diverticulosis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age over 60 years old (relative risk [RR], 2.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.64-6.47), adenomatous polyps (RR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.18-4.61) and heavy alcohol consumption (RR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.04-3.08) were independent predictors for colorectal diverticulosis.

Conclusions

The prevalence of asymptomatic colorectal diverticulosis was 13.5% in Taiwan. Age over 60 years old, adenomatous polyp and heavy alcohol consumption may affect the risk of development of the disease.

Changing views on diverticular disease: impact of aging, obesity, diet, and microbiota

The development of colonic diverticulosis is a common aging change in industrialized nations. While most patients have asymptomatic diverticulosis, around one in five develops symptomatic diverticular disease. This is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and disturbed bowel habit. Some of the pain episodes are prolonged and are due to acute diverticulitis, which itself may be complicated by abscess, perforation, fistulation, or stricture formation. Risk factors favouring the development of symptomatic diverticular disease include obesity, smoking and diets low in fiber but high in red meat and animal fat. What determines the transition from asymptomatic diverticulosis to symptomatic diverticular disease is unclear but neuromuscular changes following acute diverticulitis may be responsible in some cases. The severity of symptoms generated depends on cerebral pain processing which is influenced by psychosocial factors. These are important considerations in deciding optimal patient management. Prior theories of the cause of diverticulosis suggested that constipation was an important cause, but new data challenge this and has provoked new ideas. Underlying mechanisms causing diverticulosis include weakening of the colonic wall and/or degenerative changes in the enteric nerves. Dietary induced changes in microbiota and the host inflammatory response may underlie the subsequent development of acute/chronic diverticulitis and its sequela.

Increase in colonic diverticulosis and diverticular hemorrhage in an aging society: lessons from a 9-year colonoscopic study of 28,192 patients in Japan

PURPOSES

Colonoscopic evidence of epidemiological trends in diverticulosis and diverticular bleeding is scarce. We evaluated trends in diverticular disease and associated factors over 9 years.

METHODS

Twenty-eight thousand one hundred ninety-two patients who underwent colonoscopy at an emergency hospital were reviewed from an electronic endoscopy database. Diverticula were classified as right-sided, left-sided, and bilateral types, and time trends in the proportion in diverticulosis, type, and diverticular bleeding were determined. Associations of age (≤39, 40-59, and ≥60 years), sex, and year increase with disease and odds ratios were estimated using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Diverticulosis was identified in 6,150 patients (20.3 %; mean age, 67.6 years) and was predominantly right-sided (48.0 %). Diverticular bleeding was found in 427 (1.5 %; mean age, 69.7 years) and was predominantly bilateral (47.0 %). Proportion of colonic diverticulosis increased significantly (P < 0.01 for trend) from 66.0 % (1,424/2,157) in 2003 to 70.1 % (2,914/4,159) in 2011 and was associated (P < 0.01) with an increased number of patients aged ≥60 years. Proportion of diverticular bleeding increased significantly (P < 0.01 for trend) from 1.02 % (22/2,157) in 2003 to 1.67 % (69/4,159) in 2011 and was associated (P = 0.04) with an increased number of patients aged 40-59 years. Diverticulosis, right and bilateral type, and diverticular bleeding were independently associated with the 9-year trend after adjustment by age and sex.

CONCLUSIONS

Colonic diverticulosis and diverticular bleeding are prevalent and increasing in Japan. Given the significant association of age with this trend, both diseases can be expected to increase for decades to come.

Alcohol and smoking affect risk of uncomplicated colonic diverticulosis in Japan

Colonic diverticula are located predominantly on the right side in Asia and on the left side in Europe and the United States. Factors associated with uncomplicated colonic diverticulosis and its distribution pattern have been unknown. Our aims are to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for uncomplicated colonic diverticulosis. We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study in adults who underwent colonoscopy. Alcohol, alcohol related flushing, smoking, medications, and comorbidities were assessed by interview on the colonoscopy day. Alcohol consumption was categorized as nondrinker, light (1–180 g/week), moderate (181–360 g/week), and heavy (≥361 g/week). Smoking index was defined as the number of cigarettes per day multiplied by the number of smoking years and categorized as nonsmoker, <400, 400–799, and ≥800. A total of 2,164 consecutive patients were enrolled. Overall, 542 patients (25.1%) had uncomplicated colonic diverticulosis located on the right side (50%), bilaterally (29%), and on the left side (21%). Univariate analysis revealed age, male, smoking index, alcohol consumption, aspirin use, anticoagulants use, corticosteroid use, hypertension, and atherosclerotic disease as factors significantly associated with diverticulosis. Alcohol related flushing was not associated with the disease. Multivariate analysis showed increasing age (P<0.01), increasing alcohol consumption (P<0.01) and smoking (P<0.01), and atherosclerotic disease (P<0.01) as significantly associated factors. Alcohol and smoking were associated with right-sided and bilateral diverticula. In conclusion, one in four Japanese adults have colonic diverticulosis (50% right-sided). Age, alcohol consumption, and smoking were found to be significant risk factors for uncomplicated colonic diverticulosis, particularly right-sided and bilateral.

Risk factors for early re-bleeding and associated hospitalization in patients with colonic diverticular bleeding

AIM

The annual incidence of colonic diverticular bleeding is increasing, but treatments are not yet well established. Here we aimed to identify the risk factors for early re-bleeding and to determine the associated duration of hospitalization.

METHOD

Records of 90 emergent patients with colonic diverticular bleeding between 1999 and May 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. They were divided into an early re-bleeding within 1 month group (n = 24) and a no re-bleeding group (n = 66) and we investigated the risk factors for early re-bleeding. In the former group, we calculated the time from the first haemostasis to early re-bleeding and the associated duration of hospitalization.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis showed that there were significantly more patients with signs of shock (P = 0.00055) and active bleeding on the first colonoscopy after admission (P = 0.020) in the early re-bleeding group. Multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis using stepwise variable selection showed that signs of shock on admission (odds ratio, 5.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.84-14.90; P = 0.0019) remained statistically significant. All patients who re-bled without signs of shock (n = 7) and 16 of 17 with signs of shock re-bled within 126 h (5.25 days) of initial hospitalization.

CONCLUSION

Shock was an independent risk factor for early re-bleeding. The associated duration of hospitalization was 6 days.

Recurrence of colonic diverticular bleeding and associated risk factors

AIM

Colonic diverticular bleeding often recurs, but the risk factors remain unclear. Our aim was to identify risk factors for recurrence in patients with diverticular bleeding.

METHOD

Seventy-two hospitalized patients who were diagnosed with diverticular bleeding between 2004 and 2008 were analyzed. Rebleeding was considered as the main outcome measure, with the duration until recurrence identified from medical records. Potential risk factors for rebleeding, such as underlying pathologies, medication and smoking and drinking habits, were investigated from the medical records on initial admission.

RESULTS

Of the 72 patients, 19 had a diverticular disease on the right, 16 on the left side and 37 on both sides of the colon. Recurrence was identified in 27 (38%) patients at a median interval of 1535 days. The cumulative incidence of rebleeding at 6, 12 and 24 months was 15%, 20% and 33%. Multivariate analysis revealed nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (hazard ratio (HR), 2.57; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.89-7.46; P=0.08), antiplatelet drugs (HR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.01-5.67; P=0.05) and hypertension (HR, 4.16; 95% CI, 1.22-14.2; P=0.02) to be risk factors for rebleeding.

CONCLUSION

Patients with colonic diverticular bleeding show high recurrence rates within a short period. Risk factors for recurrence have been identified as the use of NSAIDs or antiplatelet drugs and hypertension.

[Colonic diverticular disease: diagnosis and therapy]

Colonic diverticular disease is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders in the Western world, affecting approximately 50% of the population above the age of 70 years. Symptoms develop only in about one quarter of the affected individuals with complications in one-third of the symptomatic patients. Diagnosis is mostly confirmed by colonoscopy. Abdominal CT is the most sensitive for the diagnosis of complicated severe diverticulitis, while colonoscopy or in severe cases angiography may be performed in bleeding patients. Initial therapy of non-complicated symptomatic diverticulitis includes antibiotics and more recently non-absorbable antibiotics. In complicated cases should be treated with broad spectrum i.v. antibiotics, however surgery may became necessary in a minority of the cases. The proportion of patients needing acute surgical intervention has decreased in the last decades with the advancement of conservative management including medical therapy, endoscopy and imaging techniques and the indication of elective was also changed.

Emergency surgery in colonic diverticulitis in an Asian population

INTRODUCTION

Diverticulitis in Asians differs significantly from their Western counterparts in various aspects. This study was performed to highlight our institution's surgical experiences in patients with diverticulitis. The secondary aim was to compare the patients who underwent surgery for right- and left-sided diverticulitis.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all patients who underwent emergency surgery in patients with acute diverticulitis from July 2003 to April 2008 was performed. Right-sided pathology was regarded if it was located from the caecum till the transverse colon. Left-sided disease was regarded if it commenced from the splenic flexure.

RESULTS

The study group comprised of 104 patients, 68 (65.4%) of whom had right-sided diverticulitis. Caecum was the commonest site of disease, and the majority had only mild disease. In the 36 (34.6%) patients with left-sided diverticulitis, majority (63.8%) had an ASA score of three or four, with the sigmoid colon being the most common site of involvement. Most (91.7%) had worse peritoneal contamination with Hartmann's procedure being performed in 22 (61.1%) patients. Worse peri-operative outcome was also seen in this group. After multivariate analysis, the independent factors for right-sided disease were younger age, lower ASA score and no necessity for stoma.

CONCLUSIONS

In an Asian population, surgery in right-sided diverticulitis is more commonly performed and is associated with lower morbidity and mortality. Patients who underwent surgery for right-sided diverticulitis were younger, with lower ASA score and less likely to have stoma created.

Clinical significance of colonic diverticulosis associated with bowel symptoms and colon polyp

This study was done to evaluate prospectively the clinical significance of colonic diverticulosis. In the 1,030 consecutive outpatients undergoing colonoscopy, the information on the demographics, the patterns of bowel symptoms, and the prevalence of colon polyp were analyzed according to the presence of colonic diverticulosis. The mean age of 1,030 patients were 52.2 yr and 59.3% were male. The prevalence of diverticulosis was 19.7% (203/1,030). Of 203 diverticulosis patients 85.2% were in proximal group, 5.4% in distal group and 9.4% in both group. Six (3.0%) patients were found to have diverticulitis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that an old age, diabetes and the presence of polyp were significant factors associated with proximal or both diverticulosis. A significant difference was demonstrated between the patients of distal diverticular group and the controls for the symptom frequency scores within the previous 4 weeks. The items, which showed difference, were hard stool, urgency, flatus, chest discomfort and frequent urination. In conclusion, old age, diabetes and the presence of colon polyp were associated with proximal diverticulosis. The temporal symptoms were more frequent in distal diverticulosis than in proximal diverticulosis in the study subjects.

Etiology and pathophysiology of diverticular disease

Diverticular disease is prevalent in Western countries and yet its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. The common theories of the cause of diverticular disease have focused on colonic motility, the structural aspects of the colonic wall, and the role of dietary factors, particularly fiber.

Emergency management of diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a common problem, and although most cases will respond to conservative measures, surgeons will frequently need to treat patients requiring emergency surgery. Surgical management has progressed over the past 30 years, with a change in practice from routine drainage and proximal diversion (necessitating two further major procedures) to primary resection and anastomosis in selected cases. In 2004, surgeons must use clinical judgment to determine which approach will optimize outcomes both in terms of morbidity and mortality and in terms of quality of life for their patients.

Clinical characteristics of colonic diverticulosis in Korea: a prospective study

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The 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.

METHODS

The 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.

RESULTS

The 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).

CONCLUSIONS

The 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.

Diverticulosis and acute diverticulitis

Colonic diverticulosis is a common, usually asymptomatic, entity of Western countries, with an incidence that increases with age. When these diverticula become infected and inflamed, patients can present with a wide variety of clinical manifestations. Management of acute, uncomplicated diverticulitis can often be treated successfully with antibiotics alone and the decision to proceed with more aggressive measures such as surgical intervention is made on a case-by-case basis. The treatment algorithm for diverticular disease continues to evolve as the pathophysiology, etiology, and natural history of the disease becomes better understood.

Rifaximin pharmacology and clinical implications

Rifaximin is a semisynthetic, rifamycin-based non-systemic antibiotic, with a low gastrointestinal absorption and a good antibacterial activity. The antibacterial action covers Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, both aerobes and anaerobes. Its antimicrobial action is based on its property to bind to the beta-subunit of bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibiting, thereby, the bacterial RNA synthesis. Rifaximin contributes to restore gut microflora imbalance, becoming an important therapeutic agent in several organic and functional gastrointestinal diseases such as hepatic encephalopathy, small intestine bacterial overgrowth, inflammatory bowel disease and colonic diverticular disease. This antibiotic has the advantage of low microbial resistance and few systemic adverse events and is safe in all patient populations, including young children.

Therapeutic barium enema for bleeding colonic diverticula: Four case series and review of the literature

The prevalence of diverticular diseases of the colon, including severe and persistent bleeding in Eastern countries, has increased in the last decades. The bleeding from colonic diverticula is the most common cause of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Herein, we report four cases of severe and persistent bleeding of colonic diverticular disease that could be treated with a high concentration barium enema. These four cases showed a similar pattern of bleeding whose source could not be identified. Colonoscopy revealed fresh blood in the entire colon and many diverticula were noted throughout the colon. No active bleeding source was identified, but large adherent clots in some diverticula were noted. After endoscopic and angiographic therapies failed, therapeutic barium enema stopped the severe bleeding. These patients remained free of re-bleeding in the follow-up period (range 17-35 mo) after the therapy. We report the four case series of therapeutic barium enema and reviewed the literature pertinent to this procedure.

History, incidence, and epidemiology of diverticulosis

Diverticulosis of the colon is a very common condition. Described as early as the 17th century, most of the information we now have is based on much of the work during the 20th century. Age, sex, race, and geography all play a specific role in the development of diverticula. It is the merging of these factors that changes the prevalence of diverticula and their manifestations. Symptomatic diverticula can lead to serious complications requiring both medical and surgical interventions to treat these complications when they occur. This review will focus on the history and epidemiology of diverticulosis in regard to age, sex, race, geography, and the epidemiology of complicated diverticular disease.

Association between colonic polyps and diverticular disease

AIM: To evaluate the association between colonic polyps and diverticular disease in Japan.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 672 consecutive patients who underwent total colonoscopy between August 2006 and April 2007 at Nishinjo Hospital, Okinawa, Japan. Patients with a history of any of the following were excluded from the study: previous polypectomy, colonic resection, and inflammatory bowel diseases. The association between colonic polyps and diverticular disease was analyzed by logistic regression analysis, adjusted for age and sex.

RESULTS: Prevalence of colonic polyps in all patients with diverticular disease was significantly higher than that in those without diverticular disease (adjusted odds ratio 1.7).

CONCLUSION: Our data showed that patients with diverticular disease have a higher risk of colonic polyps compared to those without.

Assessment of the risk factors for colonic diverticular hemorrhage

PURPOSE

Colonic diverticulosis, although usually asymptomatic, sometimes causes diverticular hemorrhage. Studies about risk factors, other than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, for colonic diverticular hemorrhage are limited. We conducted the present study to elucidate their significance as a risk factor.

METHODS

Colonic diverticulosis was found in 1,753 patients and diverticular hemorrhage in 44 patients among 9,499 total colonoscopy examinees at the authors' institutions between September 1995 and December 2005. After reviewing their clinical features, we chose two controls for each case with diverticular hemorrhage matched for age, gender, and the location of diverticulosis. We evaluated the effects of comorbidities (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular disease, ischemic heart disease), habits (alcohol, smoking), and medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, by using conditional logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between patients with diverticular hemorrhage and those with nonbleeding diverticulosis regarding age (67 +/- 13 vs. 64 +/- 11 years) or gender ratio (male/female ratio: 36/8 vs. 1,237/472). As for location, the proportion of bilateral diverticulosis was larger among patients with hemorrhage (43 vs. 22 percent). In the case-control study, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (odds ratio, 15.6; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.1-214; P = 0.04), hypertension (odds ratio, 6.6; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.1-20.5; P = 0.0011), and aspirin and/or other anticoagulant (odds ratio, 3; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.04-8.6; P = 0.042) were shown to be significant risk factors by multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypertension, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and anticoagulants, including aspirin, are independent risk factors for colonic diverticular hemorrhage.

Case closed? Diverticulitis: epidemiology and fiber

A major advance in understanding diverticular disease occurred decades ago with the epidemiologic association between fiber intake and the development of diverticular disease. This association has been well documented with investigations into the emergence of diverticular disease in underdeveloped countries where the disease had been virtually unknown before the adoption of a westernized diet, low in fiber. The high frequency of right-sided diverticular disease in Asian countries diverges from what is seen in the West. The physiologic effects of insoluble fiber has been well examined as well, increasing bulk and decreasing transit time, with a deficiency contributing to the high pressures implicated in the physiology which leads to diverticular disease. However, at most, 10% to 25% of individuals with diverticular disease will develop diverticulitis. Risk factors for symptomatic diverticular have been increasingly described in recent years with obesity and red meat intake being of particular importance, in addition to age. However, the known factors poorly identify those at increased risk and the predisposing pathophysiology is incompletely understood as well. Insoluble fiber, but not soluble fiber, has been viewed as the principal component which has been deficient in western diets and is the culprit which leads to the establishment of diverticular disease and in turn, diverticulitis. Soluble fiber and its effect on the intestinal flora is proposed as having significant influence on the development of diverticulitis. This understanding, if demonstrated, would have important implications for the primary and secondary prevention of diverticulitis.

Review article: uncomplicated diverticular disease of the colon

Diverticular disease of the colon is the fifth most important gastrointestinal disease in terms of direct and indirect health care costs in western countries. Uncomplicated diverticular disease is defined as the presence of diverticula in the absence of complications such as perforation, fistula, obstruction and/or bleeding. The distribution of diverticula along the colon varies worldwide being almost always left-sided and directly related to age in western countries and right-sided where diet is rich in fibre. The pathophysiology of diverticular disease is complex and relates to abnormal colonic motility, changes in the colonic wall, chronic mucosal low-grade inflammation, imbalance in colonic microflora and visceral hypersensitivity. Moreover, there can be genetic factors involved in the development of colonic diverticula. The use of non-absorbable antibiotics is the mainstay of therapy in patients with mild to moderate symptoms, and the effect of fibre-supplementation alone does not appear to be significantly different from placebo, although no definite data are available. More recently, alternative treatments have been reported. Mesalazine acts as a local mucosal immunomodulator and has been shown to improve symptoms and prevent recurrence of diverticulitis. In addition, probiotics have also been shown to be beneficial by re-establishing a normal gut microflora. In this study, the current literature on uncomplicated diverticular disease of the colon is reviewed.

An analysis of the development of colonic diverticulosis in the Japanese

PURPOSE

There are quite different characteristics between colonic diverticulosis in the West and that in Asia, including Japan. These differences include the predominance of a few diverticula over others, right-sidedness, young generation, male, and few complications. In Japan, colonic diverticulosis started increasing in the 1970s. This study was performed to obtain exact evidence of diverticular development in contemporary Japanese by observing changes in diverticula in the same individuals examined over a period of ten or more years.

METHODS

This study included 82 subjects (56 (68 percent) males and 26 (32 percent) females) who underwent barium enema examinations repeatedly for more than ten years from 1982 to 2000. The diverticula were categorized according to their location in the colon: right, left, or bilateral. They were also categorized by whether they appeared individually, were scattered with two to nine diverticula, or were numerous with ten or more diverticula.

RESULTS

At the beginning of observation, the most frequent location was the right side (55; 67 percent), followed by bilateral (20; 24 percent) and the left side (7; 9 percent). Ten or more years later, the number on the right side had decreased to 39 (48 percent). The number of bilateral diverticula had increased to 38 (46 percent), and the number on the left had barely changed, to 5 (6 percent). The number of diverticula increased from 253 to 604 (239 percent) in the right and from 380 to 929 (244 percent) in the bilateral. The initially very small number in the left increased from 9 to 48 (533 percent). The data show marked increases in the right and bilateral diverticula, and also the spread from the right side to the left side.

CONCLUSION

In contemporary Japanese, although the right predominated initially, diverticulosis showed a strong tendency to increase and spread from the right to the bilateral. The number of bilateral diverticula also tended to increase. The left did not change much.

Pathophysiology of diverticular disease

There is substantial evidence that colonic diverticulosis is related to civilization, industrialization and a "Western" lifestyle and diet, being described as "a disease of Western civilization". Its increased incidence during the 20th century and the morbidity and mortality associated with complications, demand that this condition should receive greater attention in terms of aetiology, prevention and management. It is generally believed that low dietary fibre and ageing are the two main pathogenic factors involved in this disease. Physiological studies have also demonstrated that there is a higher intraluminal pressure in the large bowel with diverticula. This chapter provides the evidence currently available for the pathophysiology of colonic diverticulosis and discusses its aetiological factors, including low dietary fibre, ageing and intraluminal pressure as well as extracelluar matrix such as collagen and elastin. The difference between the left-sided diverticulosis commonly seen in Caucasians and the right-sided predominantly observed in Asians is also presented.

Clinical features and differential diagnosis of diverticular disease

Colonic diverticulosis occurs in the majority of Western populations with age, but only a small proportion of people experience symptoms. Diverticular disease usually presents with either haemorrhage or diverticulitis. A quarter of patients with diverticulitis will develop complications including perforation, fistulation, obstruction or stricture. This chapter deals with the natural history, risk factors, clinical features and differential diagnoses of symptomatic diverticular disease.

Epidemiology of diverticular disease

Diverticulosis, which is an acquired condition marked by mucosal herniation through defects in the colonic wall, has been termed both a "disease of the 20th century" and a "disease of Western civilization" due to its increasing prevalence in modern times and its striking geographical variability. Both of these epidemiological observations may provide interesting insights into the pathophysiology of diverticulosis. This chapter will review the known epidemiology of diverticulosis coli and its main complications: diverticulitis and diverticular haemorrhage. Where possible, attempts will be made to place these observational reports in the context of both the cause and clinical behaviour of this disorder.

Clinical diagnosis of primary epiploic appendagitis: differentiation from acute diverticulitis

BACKGROUND

Primary epiploic appendagitis (PEA) is an uncommon cause of abdominal pain that occurs either from appendageal torsion or spontaneous thrombosis of an appendageal draining vein. Primary epiploic appendagitis is frequently misdiagnosed as either appendicitis or diverticulitis, depending on its location.

STUDY

Clinical and radiologic characteristics of 8 patients with PEA were retrospectively reviewed and compared with 18 patients with acute diverticulitis.

RESULTS

Patients with PEA presented with lower abdominal pain of recent onset that was localized to the left (seven cases) and right (one case) lower quadrants. Well-localized tenderness without peritoneal irritation sign was usually the only physical finding. Blood tests were not significant. In acute diverticulitis, the pain was more evenly distributed throughout the lower abdomen and findings like nausea, fever, and leukocytosis were more frequently associated than in PEA. Computed tomography findings, such as pedunculated oval fatty mass with streaky densities connected to the serosal surface of the adjacent colon, can lead to the diagnosis of PEA. Symptoms of PEA were resolved within 1 week (mean, 4.7 days) without surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

When patients with very localized lower abdominal pain and tenderness do not have associated symptoms or laboratory abnormalities, a high index of suspicion for PEA and early radiologic examinations are required.

Diverticular disease

Diverticular disease is a common finding in Western countries with an increasing prevalence with age. Many patients with the disorder remain asymptomatic. However, up to 30% of those affected may show clinical signs including pain, bleeding, obstruction, abscess, fistulae and perforation. The purpose of this chapter is to review the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic regimens and treatment options for this disorder.

Clinical and functional results after elective colonic resection in 75 consecutive patients with diverticular disease

BACKGROUND

Functional results after elective colonic resection in patients with diverticular disease have seldom been studied.

METHODS

Seventy-five consecutive patients were reviewed and sent a questionnaire about abdominal symptoms and functional results. Possible associations between patients' characteristics and postoperative complications or functional outcome were analyzed.

RESULTS

Major complications including anastomotic leakage, bleeding, and bowel obstruction occurred in 10 patients (13%). Six patients (8%) had recurrent diverticulitis. No significant associations were found between clinical characteristics and postoperative complications or recurrent disease. Fifty patients classified their final result as excellent or good. Functional symptoms or symptoms suggestive of irritable bowel syndrome before the operation predicted a less successful result (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Elective surgery in patients with diverticular disease was hampered by postoperative complications but resulted in most cases in good functional outcome and a low rate of recurrent disease. Those with functional bowel symptoms before surgery had significantly worse results.

Dietary habits and right-sided colonic diverticulosis

PURPOSE

In Asian populations, there is a high prevalence of right-sided colonic diverticulosis, the cause of which is uncertain. It is suspected that dietary habits may interact with a congenital predilection to cause this condition. To evaluate the relationship between long-term dietary habits and the prevalence of right-sided diverticulosis in the general population, we performed a retrospective case-control study.

METHODS

We reviewed the records of 3,105 screening colonoscopies performed on healthy, asymptomatic adults. All cases of right-sided diverticulosis were selected, and a similar number of gender-matched and age-matched controls with negative colonoscopies were randomly sampled from the same cohort. All case and control subjects were interviewed by a single-blinded nurse to establish their dietary habits during the past decade, in addition to other demographic characteristics. Based on consumption frequency, they were assigned to one of three diet classes for each of three food categories of interest: meat, vegetable, and fruit products. Staple foods such as rice were not included. Odds ratios were then calculated using multivariate conditional logistic regression and tests for trend were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 86 cases of right-sided diverticulosis were included, whereas 106 controls were randomly selected. There was a marked association between meat consumption frequency and right-sided diverticulosis, with a trend P value of <0.01 and an odds ratio of 24.81 between the most and least frequent consumers of meat products.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of right-sided diverticulosis is strongly positively associated with past meat consumption frequency. There is no association with vegetable or fruit consumption frequency, laxative use, supplemental fiber intake, smoking, or family history.

Recent trends in diverticulosis of the right colon in Japan: retrospective review in a regional hospital

PURPOSE

Diverticulosis of the right colon has been increasing in the Far East; however, a considerable proportion of these patients includes cases of solitary right-sided diverticular disease. This study aimed to determine whether the incidence of such solitary diverticula (defined as 1 or 2 diverticula in this study) and multiple (3 or more) diverticula of the right colon is increasing in Japan.

METHODS

A total of 13,947 consecutive barium enema examinations, performed in the period from 1982 to 1997, were reviewed. Changes in the frequency (detection rate) and number of diverticula across time and with aging of three types of diverticula, right-sided, left-sided, and bilateral, were investigated, with special interest in those patients with one or two diverticula of the right colon.

RESULTS

Right-sided and bilateral diverticula have increased in frequency across time; however, left-sided diverticula have not. Patients with one or two diverticula in the right colon of right-sided disease, unexpectedly, have increased across time in both genders, and patients with three or more diverticula in the right colon of right-sided disease have shown an increase in males. The number of diverticula of the right colon showed no increase across time or with aging.

CONCLUSIONS

Diverticulosis of the right colon, both solitary and multiple, has been increasing steadily in Japan; therefore, diverticulitis and bleeding diverticula of the right colon may continue to increase. Diverticula of the right colon might be an acquired disease and self-limiting in development, because the frequency did not increase substantially in the elderly and because the number changed little across time and with aging.

Colonic diverticulosis in Hong Kong: distribution pattern and clinical significance

This is a retrospective study on the prevalence of diverticulosis in Hong Kong Chinese adults. Eight-hundred and fifty-eight consecutive barium enema examinations over a period of 18 months (January 1995-June 1996) were analysed. Results show that the prevalence of diverticulosis in our community is 25.1% with no significant difference between male and female adults. The prevalence is lower than Western countries but higher than in Asia. Moreover, the peak prevalence is at the 50-79 years age group with lower prevalence in the older age groups. This may be explained by the rapid rise in prevalence in the younger age groups so that the age-related increase in prevalence become obscured. We postulate that this may be due to Western cultural influence in our diet and lifestyle. There is no significant difference in the symptomatology of patients with and without diverticulosis, supporting the idea that diverticulosis alone is usually asymptomatic. There is predominance of right hemicolon involvement in our subjects, in contrast to the left hemicolon predominance in the Caucasian population. Of patients with diverticulosis, 55.3% have only right-sided involvement and 32.6% have bilateral involvement. Only 12.1% of patients with diverticulosis have exclusively left hemicolon involvement. Caecal and ascending colon diverticula are found in 6.4% and 17.6% of all the adults under study, respectively. Clinicians caring for patients from our community should take note of this high frequency of caecal and ascending colon diverticulosis as caecal and ascending colon diverticulitis is notoriously difficult to diagnose clinically.

Clinical behavior of complicated right-sided and left-sided diverticulosis

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to characterize the clinical entity of multiple right-sided (RS) diverticular disease, which is uniquely common in Asians.

METHODS

Patients hospitalized with proven diverticular disease from June 1989 to January 1996 were reviewed. Data were retrieved from a prospectively collected computerized database.

RESULTS

One hundred eighty consecutive patients were admitted to the Department of Colorectal Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, with multiple diverticular disease. Average age was 65.1 (standard error of the mean, 13.9) years. There were 96 men and 84 women. Women presented, on average, 8.4 years later than men (P < 0.005). Eighty-five patients (47 percent) had massive rectal bleeding, 65 (36 percent) had diverticulitis, 21 (12 percent) had obstructive symptoms, and 9 (15 percent) had enteric fistulas. The diverticula were RS in 76 patients(42 percent), left-sided (LS) in 62 patients (34 percent), and on both sides in 42 patients (24 percent). RS diverticulosis tended to present with massive rectal bleeding (42/76; 55 percent) more often than LS disease (14/62; 23 percent; P < 0.005). Surgery for bleeding was also required more often for RS (17/42; 41 percent) than for LS disease (1/14; 7 percent; P < 0.05); however, diverticulitis was more common on the left (RS, 25/76, 33 percent; LS, 32/62, 52 percent; P < 0.05). Seventy-eight patients (43 percent) required surgery for these complications of diverticular disease. At a mean follow-up of 15.2 (standard error of the mean, 2) months, mortality was 2 in 78 patients who underwent surgery (3 percent), and morbidity was 15 percent.

CONCLUSIONS

In comparison with LS, RS diverticular disease tended to present more often with massive bleeding than with diverticulitis and fistulation. This bleeding was often more severe and required surgical intervention.