Alcohol consumption is a risk factor for colonic diverticulosis

Diagnosis and management of diverticular disease in primary care

ABSTRACT

Each year, more than 1 million ambulatory patient visits occur for diverticular disease, with nearly 75% of these patients seen in outpatient clinics. Although diverticulitis historically had been considered a disease of the older adult, it has become increasingly prevalent among the younger population. Likewise, in the past, antibiotics were considered first-line treatment for uncomplicated diverticulitis (Hinchey classification 0 and Ia); however, two large clinical trials compared treatment with antibiotics versus without antibiotics in uncomplicated cases of the disease and found no significant difference in patient outcomes. Based on these findings, first-line management now constitutes clear-liquid diet along with bowel rest for resolution of symptoms in these patients. Proper management with lifestyle modifications can help prevent complications and improve outcomes for patients with this condition; patient education is therefore critical.

Smoking and Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Incident Diverticulitis in Women

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Much of what is known about the effects of alcohol and tobacco use on diverticular disease derives from studies of asymptomatic diverticulosis or complicated diverticulitis. We examined smoking and alcohol consumption and risk of incident diverticulitis in a large cohort of women.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective study of 84,232 women in the Nurses' Health Study II (NHS II) who were 39-52 years old and without known diverticulitis at baseline in 2003. Smoking was ascertained every 2 years and alcohol use every 4 years. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate multivariable-adjusted hazards ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

During 1,139,660 person-years of follow up, we identified 3018 incident cases of diverticulitis. After adjustment for other risk factors, current (HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.04-1.39) and past smoking (HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.11-1.30) were associated with increased risk of diverticulitis when compared with never smokers. Women who consumed ≥30 g/d of alcohol had a multivariate HR of 1.26 (95% CI, 1.05-1.50) when compared with women who did not drink. A joint analysis of smoking and alcohol found that individuals who ever smoked and consumed ≥15 g/d of alcohol were at highest risk of diverticulitis (multivariate HR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.16-2.21), compared with participants who never smoked and reported no alcohol use.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large prospective study of women, smoking and alcohol consumption were associated with an increased risk of incident diverticulitis. These data highlight additional modifiable risk factors for diverticulitis that may aid in prevention.

Effectiveness of NOTES versus traditional techniques on surgical outcomes in adults with diverticulitis: a systematic review protocol

OBJECTIVE

This review will evaluate the effectiveness of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES)/hybrid NOTES versus traditional surgical techniques in the management of diverticular disease.

INTRODUCTION

Diverticular disease can have a significant impact on a patient's quality of life, especially the changes affecting bowel function. Recurrent/severe symptoms may require surgery. Resections are invasive and can have significant operative complications. There has been a shift from an open resection to a more minimally invasive technique such as laparoscopy. Furthermore, the use of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic resection, using a transanal/transvaginal approach, has begun to be used in colorectal resections.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Eligible studies will include patients who underwent surgical resection for diverticular disease or diverticulitis. The review will consider studies that evaluate NOTES in the management of diverticular disease or diverticulitis. This will include hybrid procedures involving both NOTES and natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE), with the aid of laparoscopy/endoscopy/robotic equipment. Studies on participants under 18 years of age and presenting with non-diverticular pathologies will be excluded.

METHODS

This review will follow the JBI methodology for systematic reviews of effectiveness and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 statement. Databases to be searched will include PubMed, MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, ClinicalTrials.gov, and ANZCTR, with no language limitations. The reference lists of included studies will be screened for additional studies. This review will preferentially consider experimental and quasi-experimental study designs. Two reviewers will conduct critical appraisal and data extraction. Studies will, where possible, be pooled in statistical meta-analyses.

REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42023420771.

Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Incidental Colonic Diverticulosis

INTRODUCTION

The true prevalence and pathogenesis of diverticulosis is poorly understood. Risk factors for diverticulosis are presently unclear, with most clinicians attributing its development to years of chronic constipation. Previous studies have been limited by their failure to include young, ethnically diverse patient populations.

METHODS

Patients who presented to the emergency department of our hospital from January-September 2019 and underwent abdominal computerized tomography (CT) scan for the evaluation of appendicitis were included. CT's were reviewed for the presence of diverticulosis. Risk factors for diverticulosis were determined for two age groups: >40 and ≤ 40.

RESULTS

A total of 359 patients were included in the study. The median age was 38.57.1% were male. 81.6% were Hispanic. 43.5% had colonic diverticulosis on CT. 198 patients (55.1%) were ≤ age 40. The rate of diverticulosis in this group was 35.3% (n = 70). Those with diverticulosis were not significantly older (median age 29 versus 27, P = 0.061) but had a higher median body mass index (BMI) (28.4 versus 25.3, P = 0.003) compared to those without diverticulosis. On multivariate analysis, no characteristics were associated with the presence of diverticulosis for this group. Over age 40, 53.4% of patients (n = 86) had diverticulosis. Patients with diverticulosis were more likely to be Hispanic (95.3% versus 73.3%, P ≤ 0.001), less likely to be Asian (2.4% versus 16.0%, P = 0.004), had a higher median BMI (28.7 versus 25.5, P ≤ 0.001), and were more likely to use alcohol (30.2% versus 14.7%, P = 0.024) than those without diverticulosis. On multivariate analysis, characteristics associated with the presence of diverticulosis were BMI >30 (odds ratio OR 2.22, 95% confidence interval CI 1.03-4.80), Hispanic ethnicity (OR 10.05, 95% CI 1.74-58.26), and alcohol use (OR 3.44, 95% CI 1.26-9.39).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a higher rate of asymptomatic diverticulosis in the <40 cohort than previously reported in the literature. Obesity, alcohol use, and Hispanic ethnicity were associated with the presence of diverticulosis in patients > age 40, but no risk factors for diverticulosis were identified for patients ≤ age 40, suggesting that diverticular pathogenesis may differ by age. Constipation was not a risk factor for diverticulosis in either age group. The data regarding the prevalence of diverticulosis in Hispanic patients is lacking and should be the focus of future inquiry.

Genetically Predicted Adiposity, Diabetes, and Lifestyle Factors in Relation to Diverticular Disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Adiposity, type 2 diabetes, alcohol and coffee consumption, and smoking have been examined in relation to diverticular disease in observational studies. We conducted a Mendelian randomization study to assess the causality of these associations.

METHODS

Independent genetic instruments associated with the studied exposures at genome-wide significance were obtained from published genome-wide association studies. Summary-level data for the exposure-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms with diverticular disease were available in the FinnGen consortium (10,978 cases and 149,001 noncases) and the UK Biobank study (12,662 cases and 348,532 noncases).

RESULTS

Higher genetically predicted body mass index and genetic liability to type 2 diabetes and smoking initiation were associated with an increased risk of diverticular disease in meta-analyses of results from the two studies. The combined odds ratio of diverticular disease was 1.23 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-1.33; P < .001) for a 1-standard deviation (~4.8 kg/m²) increase in body mass index, 1.04 (95% CI, 1.01-1.07; P = .007) for a 1-unit increase in log-transformed odds ratio of type 2 diabetes, and 1.21 (95% CI, 1.12-1.30; P < .001) for a 1-standard deviation increase in prevalence of smoking initiation. Coffee consumption was not associated with diverticular disease, whereas the association for alcohol consumption largely differed between the 2 studies.

CONCLUSIONS

This study strengthens the causal associations of higher body mass index, type 2 diabetes, and smoking with an increased risk of diverticular disease. Coffee consumption is not associated with diverticular disease. Whether alcohol consumption affects the risk of diverticular disease needs further investigation.

Percentage of body fat is associated with increased risk of diverticulosis: A cross sectional study

Background

Obesity has been indicated to be a risk factor of diverticulosis. However, plausible relationship remained controversial. This cross-sectional study elucidated the association between percentage of body fat and the risk of diverticulosis.

Methods

The study was conducted at a single medical center in Taiwan from 2000–2016 which enrolled 5557 adults with age above 20 years old receiving a health examination including self-reported questionnaires, measurement of percentage of body fat (PBF), blood test and colonoscopy at the Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH). Logistic regressions were used to analyze the association between PBF and diverticulosis. Further stratification of participants was based on age and gender and three extended models were established for multivariable adjustment.

Results

243 of 3141 males and 103 of 2416 females were diagnosed with having diverticulosis. After covariates adjustment, only participants in the highest quartile of PBF (Q4 ≥33.8%) showed significantly positive association with the risk diverticulosis (OR 2.089, p <0.001). In subgroup analysis, the odds ratio for having diverticulosis in females was significantly higher than in males. In addition, We found that the odds ratio of having diverticulosis was higher in the group older than 60 years old compared to the younger group (OR 1.052; p<0.001; OR 1.043; p<0.001).

Conclusions

In conclusion, PBF was a potential risk factor of diverticulosis. Individuals with higher PBF exhibits increased risk of diverticulosis, especially in females. Furthermore, bioelectrical impedance analysis may create a simple, available and radiation-free way to assess the risk of diverticulosis.

Chronic constipation is negatively associated with colonic diverticula

OBJECTIVES

Constipation has been considered the key risk factor for diverticulosis occurrence, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. We investigated the factors associated with diverticulosis, focusing on the association of constipation severity with the localization and number of diverticula.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed consecutive patients who underwent colonoscopy between March and December 2019. Chronic constipation was diagnosed as constipation meeting Rome IV criteria or as that requiring laxative therapy for more than 6 months. The degree of constipation was scored using the Constipation Scoring System (CSS).

RESULTS

We assessed 1014 patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, alcohol consumption, and hypertension were positively associated with diverticulosis, whereas chronic constipation was negatively associated with diverticulosis (odds ratio [OR] = 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55-0.99). When assessed according to the location of diverticula, right-sided diverticula were significantly associated with a lower incidence of constipation (OR = 0.94; 95% CI, 0.89-0.98), whereas neither left-sided nor bilateral diverticula was associated with constipation. This negative association of diverticula with constipation was stronger in patients with a high CSS score. In stratified analysis, the number of diverticula decreased with increasing degree of constipation (p for trend <.01), and a high CSS score was associated with a decreased prevalence of ≥3 diverticula (OR = 0.64; 95% CI, 0.44-0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic constipation was negatively associated with colonic diverticulosis. The association increased with the degree of constipation and was strong only in cases with right-sided diverticula and those with ≥3 diverticula.

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.

Dietary pattern and its association with right-colonic diverticulosis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

In East Asia, colonic diverticulosis develops most commonly in the right colon and is known to have different characteristics compared with left-sided one. This study was designed to investigate whether right-colonic diverticulosis is associated with posteriori dietary patterns.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed medical records of prospectively collected cohort that received health check-up in Korea between May 2011 and January 2012. Their anthropometric data, biochemical results, medication history, underlying diseases, colonoscopic findings, and dietary data obtained from semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire were analyzed. Three dietary patterns were identified using factor analysis: healthy dietary pattern (vegetables, fish, seaweed, fruits, and beans), meat dietary pattern (red meat, processed meat/fish, fried noodle, poultry, and cephalopods), and snack dietary pattern (bread, sweets, dairy products, nuts, and rice cake).

RESULTS

Out of the total 1911 patients, 203 (10.6%) had right-colonic diverticulosis, 21 (1.1%) had pan-colonic diverticulosis, and 12 (0.6%) had left-colonic diverticulosis. Among the total, none of the three patterns were associated with right-colonic diverticulosis, under adjustment with age, gender, body mass index, metabolic syndrome, and total energy intake. However, among women, meat dietary pattern was positively associated with right-colonic diverticulosis (odds ratio 1.866, 95% confidence interval: 1.0983-3.173, P = 0.021).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that meat dietary pattern is positively associated with right-colonic diverticulosis among women.

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (carrier) as possible risk factor for development of colonic diverticula. A multicentre prospective case-control study: the ALADDIN study

AIM

Connective tissue changes due to ageing or diseases leading to changes in the colonic wall are one theory for the development of diverticula. Alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT), a protease inhibitor that protects connective tissue, possibly plays a role in the aetiology of diverticulosis. The aim of this study was to explore associations between the development of diverticula and A1AT deficiency.

METHODS

This was a multicentre prospective case-control study. A total of 221 patients aged ≥ 60 years with acute abdominal pain undergoing abdominal CT were included and analysed. Patients with diverticula were defined as the research group, patients without diverticula as controls. Genotype analysis for A1AT deficiency was performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-six of 221 (11.8%) patients were diagnosed with (being a carrier of) A1AT deficiency. A non-significant difference in prevalence between patients with and without diverticula was found, 20 (13.9%) of 144 vs 6 (7.8%) of 77, respectively, with a crude OR of 1.9 (95% CI 0.7-5.0; P = 0.186) and after adjustment for confounders an adjusted OR of 1.5 (95% CI 0.5-4.0; P = 0.466). A non-significant difference in 30-day mortality rate from acute diverticulitis between A1AT deficient patients (or carriers) and those without was observed: two (22.2%) of nine patients with A1AT deficiency vs 1 (1.8%) of 55 without.

CONCLUSION

We found no convincing evidence that A1AT deficiency plays a role in the aetiology of diverticulitis, although deficient patients and carriers had a higher mortality when experiencing diverticulitis. Diverticulitis is a multifactorial disease and larger numbers may be needed to explore the role of A1AT deficiency among other contributing factors.

Risk factors for endoscopic severity of diverticular disease of the colon and its outcome: a real-life case-control study

BACKGROUND

Diverticular disease is an increasing global problem.

AIMS

To assess the factors associated with the severity of diverticular disease and its outcome, analyzing a real-life population.

METHODS

A cohort of patients, submitted to colonoscopy from 1 January 2012 to 30 April 2018 was revised. The endoscopic severity of diverticular disease was scored according to the Diverticular Inflammation and Complications Assessment (DICA) classification.

RESULTS

A cohort of 11 086 patients was identified during the study period, 5635 with diverticulitis and 5451 without diverticulosis. Blood hypertension, diabetes and angiotensin receptor blocker users occurred more frequently in the study group, while the prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) was significantly lower. Age >70 years, BMI >30 and blood hypertension were factors independently related to the presence of diverticulosis, while diabetes and CRC were significantly associated with the absence of diverticulosis. Female sex, age, smoke, appendectomy, proton-pump inhibitors and acetyl-salicylic acid use were directly related to the severity of diverticular disease, while CRC and colonic polyp occurrence were inversely related to the severity of diverticular disease, significantly. Female sex, age >70 years and smoke were significantly related to the severity of diverticular disease. CRC and colonic polyps were significantly less in DICA 3 patients. DICA 3 patients were more often symptomatic, at higher risk of hospital admission, longer hospital stay and higher mean costs.

CONCLUSIONS

Several factors are associated with the severity of diverticular disease according to the DICA classification. The DICA classification is also predictive of the outcome of the disease in terms of hospital admission, stay and costs.

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.

Relationship between Barrett's esophagus and colonic diseases: a role for colonoscopy in Barrett's surveillance

BACKGROUND

Given that risk factors for Barrett's carcinogenesis are predictive, appropriate management and surveillance of Barrett's esophagus (BE) may be provided. The presence of colorectal neoplasms (CRNs) is a possible predictor of the development of BE and the progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). We evaluated the relationship between BE or EAC and colonic diseases, including neoplasms and diverticulosis.

METHODS

Patients (N = 5606) who underwent both colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy between January 2016 and December 2017 at three institutions were enrolled. The relationships between the presence of colonic diseases and BE or EAC and other clinical or endoscopic predictors of the presence of BE were investigated retrospectively.

RESULTS

The prevalence of BE ≥ 1 cm and ≥ 3 cm in length was 13.0% and 0.52%, respectively. BE was closely related with the presence of colorectal adenoma (48.4% vs. 37.2% in non-BE; P < 0.001), adenocarcinoma (16.6% vs. 8.4%, P < 0.001) and colonic diverticulosis (CD) (34.1% vs. 29.3%, P < 0.001). In patients with long-segment BE, CRNs (79.3%, P < 0.001) and CD (48.2%, P = 0.038) were more common. EAC patients also had a statistically significantly higher incidence of CRNs than non-BE patients (87.5% vs. 45.6%, P = 0.027). Diverticulosis at the distal colon correlated significantly with EAC and BE (50.0%, P = 0.010 and 15.4%, P = 0.024, vs. 12.0% in non-BE). Multivariate analysis showed that CRNs (t = 8.55, P < 0.001), reflux esophagitis (t = 5.26, P < 0.001) and hiatal hernia (t = 11.68, P < 0.001) were predictors of BE.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of CRNs was strongly associated with BE and EAC. Therefore, colonoscopy may be useful for establishing a strategy for the surveillance of BE.

Risk Factors for Asymptomatic Colon Diverticulosis

Backgrounds/Aims

The etiology of colon diverticulosis is related to a range of genetic, biological, and environmental factors, but the risk factors for asymptomatic diverticulosis of the colon are unclear. This study examined the risk factors for asymptomatic colon diverticulosis.

Methods

This retrospective study included examinees who underwent a colonoscopy for screening at the health check-up center of SAM Hospital between January 2016 and December 2016. The examinees with colon diverticulosis found by colonoscopy were compared with those without diverticulosis. The comparison factors were age, gender, alcohol consumption, smoking status, medical history, lipid profile, body mass index, visceral fat area, waist-hip ratio, and severity of a fatty liver.

Results

This study included 937 examinees and the overall prevalence of diverticulosis was 8.1% (76/937). Fatty liver was found in 69.7% (53/76) in cases of colon diverticulosis and 50.3% (433/861) in the control group (p=0.001). The average waist-hip ratio was 0.92±0.051 in colon diverticulosis and 0.90±0.052 in the control group (p=0.052). Multivariate analysis revealed the waist-hip ratio (OR=1.035, 95% CI 1.000-1.070, p=0.043), moderate fatty liver (OR=2.238, 95% CI 1.026-4.882, p=0.043), and severe fatty liver (OR=5.519, 95% CI 1.236-21.803, p=0.025) to be associated with an increased risk of asymptomatic colon diverticulosis.

Conclusions

The waist-hip ratio, moderate fatty liver, and severe fatty liver are risk factors for asymptomatic colon diverticulosis. Central obesity, which can be estimated by the waist-hip ratio, and fatty liver might affect the pathogenesis of asymptomatic colon diverticulosis.

Prevalence of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency carriers in a population with and without colonic diverticula. A multicentre prospective case-control study: the ALADDIN study

PURPOSE

The underling pathophysiological mechanisms that cause the formation of colonic diverticula (diverticulosis) remain unclear. Connective tissue changes due to ageing that cause changes in collagen structure of the colonic wall is one theory. Alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) is a protease inhibitor known to protect connective tissue in other organs. Associations between (carriers of) A1AT deficiency and the development of colonic diverticula will be the main focus of this study.

METHODS

A multicentre prospective case-controlled study. In total, 230 patients ≥ 60 years with acute abdominal pain undergoing an abdominal computed tomography (CT) will be included. The research group consists of patients with diverticulosis and/or diverticulitis; controls are patients without diverticula (0 to ≤ 5 diverticula). Genotype analysis for A1AT deficiency will be performed.

RATIONALE

Hypothetically, connective tissue changes, in particular related to (carriers of) A1AT deficiency, can contribute to the development of diverticula and diverticulitis. We expect to find a higher prevalence of A1AT carriers in patients with diverticulosis compared to patients without diverticulosis. Having diverticulosis does not affect the general health of these individuals per se, when asymptomatic. Once an association is found, present findings can be the basis for a second study to assess the risk of developing acute diverticulitis and its disease course in carriers of A1AT deficiency. Because a large cohort is needed in the latter, we shall first perform a pilot study to investigate the likelihood of the primary hypothesis.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Netherlands Trial register, NTR6251, NL55016.094.15.

The Natural History of Incidental Colonic Diverticulosis on Screening Colonoscopy

Background

The natural history of colonic diverticulosis is unclear.

Methods

Patients with incidental diverticulosis identified in a previous prospective cross-sectional screening colonoscopy study were evaluated retrospectively for clinic or hospital visit(s) for diverticular disease (DD= acute diverticulitis or diverticular bleeding) using review of electronic health records and patient phone interview.

Results

826 patients were included in the screening colonoscopy study. Three were excluded for prior DD. In all, 224 patients (27.2%; mean age 62.3 ± 8.2) had incidental diverticulosis distributed in the left colon (67.4%), right colon (5.8%), or both (22.8%). Up-to-date information was available on 194 patients. Of those, 144 (74.2%) could be reached for detailed interview and constituted the study population. Over a mean follow-up of 7.0 ± 1.7 years, DD developed in 6 out of 144 patients (4.2%) (4 acute cases of diverticulitis, 1 probable case of diverticular bleeding, and 1 acute case of diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding). Two patients were hospitalized, and none required surgery. The time to event was 5.1 ± 1.6 years and the incidence rate was 5.9 per 1000 patient-years. On multivariate analysis, none of the variables collected at baseline colonoscopy including age, gender, obesity, exercise, fiber intake, alcohol use, constipation, or use of NSAIDs were associated with DD.

Conclusion

The natural history of incidental diverticulosis on screening colonoscopy was highly favorable in this well-defined prospectively identified cohort. The common scenario of incidental diverticulosis at screening colonoscopy makes this information clinically relevant and valuable to physicians and patients alike.

The Natural History of Colonic Diverticulosis: Much Ado about Nothing?

BACKGROUND

Colonic diverticulosis is the most common incidental lesion found on routine colonoscopy. However, its true natural history is unclear. The aim of this review is to examine the epidemiology of colonic diverticulosis and the incidence of complications, namely acute diverticulitis and diverticular hemorrhage.

SUMMARY

Many studies have evaluated the epidemiology and risk factors of diverticulosis. Despite the common nature of this entity, little is known about the risk of complications in asymptomatic individuals. It has been suggested that the lifetime risk of acute diverticulitis is 10-25% and that of diverticular hemorrhage is 3-5%. These risk estimates were based on older literature without accurate studies on true prevalence. Three recent retrospective observational cohort studies including subjects identified at colonoscopy have addressed this issue, providing information on the long-term risk of complications of colonic diverticulosis. Cumulative data from these studies support an incidence of acute diverticulitis of 1.5-6.0 per 1,000 patient-years and 0.46 per 1,000 patient-years for diverticular hemorrhage.

KEY MESSAGES

Diverticulosis is a very common condition in individuals > 50 years of age. Based on population-based colonoscopy studies, the natural history of colonic diverticulosis appears favorable with a far lower incidence of complications than previously thought.

Characteristics and associated risk factors of diverticular disease assessed by magnetic resonance imaging in subjects from a Western general population

OBJECTIVES

Diverticular disease represents an increasing pathology and healthcare burden worldwide. Our aim was to study the prevalence, extent and distribution of asymptomatic diverticular disease assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a sample of a Western population.

METHODS

Subjects from a population-based cohort study who underwent 3-T MRI were analyzed for the prevalence and extent of diverticula of the colon using an isotropic VIBE-Dixon gradient-echo sequence. The extent of diverticular disease was categorized according to the number of diverticula in each colonic segment. Univariate and adjusted analyses were performed to assess associated characteristics and risk factors.

RESULTS

Among 393 subjects included in the analysis (56.4 ± 9.2 years, 57.5% males), 164 (42%) had diverticular disease, with the highest prevalence in the left-sided colonic segments (93% diverticular disease in the descending and sigmoid segment). Subjects with advanced diverticular disease were older (62.1 vs. 54.4 years) and had a higher body mass index (BMI), LDL cholesterol levels and systolic blood pressure (30.2 ± 5.1 vs. 27.8 ± 4.9 kg/m², 149.8 ± 29.3 vs. 135.2 ± 32.9 mg/dl and 128.2 ± 14.1 vs. 118.4 ± 16.1 mmHg, respectively; all p > 0.003) compared with subjects without diverticular disease. In contrast, no significant correlation could be found for gender, physical activity, smoking status and alcohol consumption (all p > 0.31). Intra-rater reliability was excellent for all colonic segments (intra-class correlation [ICC] = 0.99-1.00), and inter-rater reliability was excellent for left- and right-sided colonic segments (ICC = 0.84-0.97).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide insights into the disease mechanism of asymptomatic diverticular disease and may help to improve prevention of diverticulosis and its associated complications.

KEY POINTS

• Overall prevalence of asymptomatic diverticular disease assessed by MRI was 42%, affecting predominantly the left-sided colon. • Asymptomatic diverticular disease was associated with age and cardiometabolic risk factors. • Magnetic resonance imaging reveals insights into the pathophysiologic mechanism of asymptomatic diverticular disease.

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.

Progress and challenges in the management of diverticular disease: which treatment?

Diverticular disease of the colon (DDC) includes a spectrum of conditions from asymptomatic diverticulosis to symptomatic uncomplicated diverticulosis, segmental colitis associated with diverticulosis, and acute diverticulitis without or with complications that may have serious consequences. Clinical and scientific interest in DDC is increasing because of the rising incidence of all conditions within the DDC spectrum, a better, although still limited understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms involved; the increasing socioeconomic burden; and the new therapeutic options being tested. The goals of treatment in DDC are symptom and inflammation relief and preventing disease progression or recurrence. The basis for preventing disease progression remains a high-fiber diet and physical exercise, although evidence is poor. Other current strategies do not meet expectations or lack a solid mechanistic foundation; these strategies include modulation of gut microbiota or dysbiosis with rifaximin or probiotics, or using mesalazine for low-grade inflammation in uncomplicated symptomatic diverticulosis. Most acute diverticulitis is uncomplicated, and the trend is to avoid hospitalization and unnecessary antibiotic therapy, but patients with comorbidities, sepsis, or immunodeficiency should receive broad spectrum and appropriate antibiotics. Complicated acute diverticulitis may require interventional radiology or surgery, although the best surgical approach (open versus laparoscopic) remains a matter of discussion. Prevention of acute diverticulitis recurrence remains undefined, as do therapeutic strategies. Mesalazine with or without probiotics has failed to prevent diverticulitis recurrence, whereas new studies are needed to validate preliminary positive results with rifaximin. Surgery is another option, but the number of acute events cannot guide this indication. We need to identify risk factors and disease progression or recurrence mechanisms to implement appropriate preventive strategies.

Epidemiology and Pathophysiology of Diverticular Disease

Colonic diverticular disease is a common health care issue which has historically been attributed to western countries and older age population. Recent studies have shown a rise in incidence among developing countries that have adopted western diets as well as rise in prevalence among younger patients. In this article, the authors discuss the incidence, epidemiology, and pathophysiology of colonic diverticular disease.

Risk of Recurrent Disease and Surgery Following an Admission for Acute Diverticulitis

BACKGROUND

Diverticular disease accounts for significant morbidity and mortality and may take the form of recurrent episodes of acute diverticulitis. The role of elective surgery is not clearly defined.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to define the rate of hospital admission for recurrent acute diverticulitis and risk factors associated with recurrence and surgery.

DESIGN

This is a retrospective population-based cohort study.

SETTINGS

National Health Service hospital admissions for acute diverticulitis in England between April 2006 and March 2011 were reviewed.

PATIENTS

Hospital Episode Statistics data identified adult patients with the first episode of acute diverticulitis (index admission), and then identified recurrent admissions and elective or emergency surgery for acute diverticulitis during a minimum follow-up period of 4 years. Exclusion criteria included previous diagnoses of acute diverticulitis, colorectal cancer, or GI bleeding, and prior colectomy or surgery or death during the index admission.

INTERVENTIONS

There were no interventions.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcomes measured were recurrent admissions for acute diverticulitis and patients requiring either elective or emergency surgery during the study period.

RESULTS

Some 65,162 patients were identified with the first episode of acute diverticulitis. The rate of hospital admission for recurrent acute diverticulitis was 11.2%. A logistic regression model examined factors associated with recurrent acute diverticulitis and surgery: patient age, female sex, smoking, obesity, comorbidity score >20, dyslipidemia, and complicated acute diverticulitis increased the risk of recurrent acute diverticulitis. There was an inverse relationship between patient age and recurrence. Similar factors were associated with elective and emergency surgery.

LIMITATIONS

The cases of acute diverticulitis required inpatient management and the use of Hospital Episode Statistics, relying on the accuracy of diagnostic coding.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the largest study assessing the rates of hospital admission for recurrent acute diverticulitis. Knowledge of the rate and risk factors for recurrent acute diverticulitis is required to aid discussion and decision making with patients regarding the need and timing of elective surgery. Some factors associated with recurrence are modifiable; therefore, weight reduction and smoking cessation can be championed. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A449.

Sex differences in risk factors of uncomplicated colonic diverticulosis in a metropolitan area from Northern China

As the world’s most populated and rapidly aging country, there is limited information on sex-related differences in factors regarding uncomplicated colonic diverticulosis in China. We aimed to investigate sex differences in individual risk factor in a northern metropolis. Patients with colonic diverticulosis who underwent indicated colonoscopy were queried with respect to medical history and demographic features. Demographic information, life style factors and co-morbidities were retrieved from a prospective dataset. Multiple regression analyses were performed to determine precipitating factors of diverticula. Of 4,386 enrolled patients, colonic diverticulosis were detected in 218 cases (4.97%). Multiple logistic regression analysis implicated increasing age (OR = 1.05, 95%CI 1.03–1.06, P < 0.001), red meat ≥100 g/d (OR = 2.53, 95%CI 1.72–3.70, P < 0.001), smoking (OR = 2.14, 95%CI 1.05–4.33, P = 0.035), rheumatologic diseases (OR = 3.38, 95%CI 1.09–10.5, P = 0.035) and NSAIDs (OR = 2.11, 95%CI 1.12–3.97, P = 0.020) were significantly associated with diverticulosis in men, whilst advancing age (OR = 1.03, 95%CI 1.01–1.05, P = 0.013), BMI (OR = 1.12, 95%CI 1.04–1.19, P = 0.001), smoking (OR = 10.2, 95%CI 2.81–37.4, P < 0.001), rheumatologic diseases (OR = 8.04, 95%CI 3.05–21.2, P < 0.001), hypertension (OR = 1.76, 95%CI 1.01–3.06, P = 0.047), colonic polyps (OR = 3.12, 95%CI 1.82–5.36, P < 0.001) and antihypertensive medications (OR = 2.99, 95%CI 1.66–5.39, P < 0.001) in women. In conclusion, it is pivotal to take account of differentially sex-related factors in regard to the development of uncomplicated colonic diverticulosis.

Dietary pattern and colonic diverticulosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To assess the role of dietary pattern on the occurrence of colonic diverticulosis, diverticular disease and acute diverticulitis.

RECENT FINDINGS

High-fiber diet does not prevent diverticulosis occurrence, and results about prevention/treatment of diverticular disease and acute diverticulitis are still conflicting.No association was seen between nut, corn or popcorn consumption and occurrence of diverticulosis, diverticular disease and acute diverticulitis.It seems to be a mild association between high alcohol intake and diverticulosis occurrence, whereas alcohol dependence seems to show lower risk of in-hospital mortality due to acute diverticulitis.Higher red-meat consumption shows mild increased risk of acute diverticulitis, especially when consumed as unprocessed red meat (defined as consumption of 'beef or lamb as main dish', 'pork as main dish', 'hamburger' and 'beef, pork or lamb as a sandwich or mixed dish'); higher consumption of poultry (viz. white meat) was not associated with risk of acute diverticulitis.Finally, higher fish intake was associated with reduced risk of diverticulitis in age-adjusted model, but not after further adjustment for other potential confounders.

SUMMARY

Current literature data about the role of dietary pattern on the occurrence of colonic diverticulosis, diverticular disease and acute diverticulitis are still too conflicting.

Current state of practice for colonic diverticular bleeding in 37 hospitals in Japan: A multicenter questionnaire study

AIM

To clarify the current state of practice for colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB) in Japan.

METHODS

We conducted multicenter questionnaire surveys of the practice for CDB including clinical settings (8 questions), diagnoses (8 questions), treatments (7 questions), and outcomes (4 questions) in 37 hospitals across Japan. The answers were compared between hospitals with high and low number of inpatient beds to investigate which factor influenced the answers.

RESULTS

Endoscopists at all 37 hospitals answered the questions, and the mean number of endoscopists at these hospitals was 12.7. Of all the hospitals, computed tomography was performed before colonoscopy in 67% of the hospitals. The rate of bowel preparation was 46.0%. Early colonoscopy was performed within 24 h in 43.2% of the hospitals. Of the hospitals, 83.8% performed clipping as first-line endoscopic therapy. More than half of the hospitals experienced less than 20% rebleeding events after endoscopic hemostasis. No significant difference was observed in the annual number of patients hospitalized for CDB between high- (≥ 700 beds) and low-volume hospitals. More emergency visits (P = 0.012) and endoscopists (P = 0.015), and less frequent participation of nursing staff in early colonoscopy (P = 0.045) were observed in the high-volume hospitals.

CONCLUSION

Some practices unique to Japan were found, such as performing computed tomography before colonoscopy, no bowel preparation, and clipping as first-line therapy. Although, the number of staff differed, the practices for CDB were common irrespective of hospital size.

Association between diverticulosis and colonic neoplastic lesions in individuals with a positive faecal immunochemical test

BACKGROUND

The association between diverticulosis and colonic neoplastic lesions has been suggested, but data in literature are conflicting. This study aimed to investigate such a relationship in patients participating in a colorectal cancer screening program who underwent high-quality colonoscopy.

METHODS

Data from consecutive individuals 50-75 years of age with a positive faecal immunological test were considered. Diverticulosis was categorised as present or absent. The prevalence of neoplastic lesions (adenoma, advanced adenoma, and cancer) between individuals with and those without diverticula was compared. A multivariate analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Overall, data from 970 consecutive individuals were evaluated, and diverticulosis was detected in 354 (36.5%) cases. At least one adenoma was detected in 490 (50.5%) people, at least one advanced adenoma in 264 (27.2%), multiple adenoma in 71 (7.3%), whilst a cancer was diagnosed in 48 (4.9%) cases. At univariate analysis, the adenoma detection rate in patients with diverticula was significantly higher than in controls (55.9% vs 47.4%; p = 0.011). At multivariate analysis, presence of diverticulosis was an independent risk factor for both adenoma detection rate (OR = 1.58; 95% CI = 1.14-2.18; p = 0.006) and advanced adenoma (OR = 1.57; 95% CI = 1.10-2.24; p = 0.013), but not for colorectal cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

In a colorectal screening setting, the adenoma detection rate was significantly higher in individuals with diverticulosis than in controls.

Distribution and Characteristics of Colonic Diverticula in a United States Screening Population

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Colonic diverticula are the most common finding from colonoscopy examinations. Little is known about the distribution of colonic diverticula, which are responsible for symptomatic and costly diverticular disease. We aimed to assess the number, location, and characteristics of colonic diverticula in a large US screening population.

METHODS

We analyzed data from a prospective study of 624 patients (mean age, 54 years) undergoing screening colonoscopy at the University of North Carolina Hospital from 2013 through 2015. The examination included a detailed assessment of colonic diverticula. To assess the association between participant characteristics and diverticula, we used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

Of our population, 260 patients (42%) had 1 or more diverticula (mean number, 14; range, 1-158). Participants with diverticula were more likely to be older, male, and have a higher body mass index than those without diverticula. The distribution of diverticula differed significantly by race. Among white persons, 75% of diverticula were in the sigmoid colon, 11% in the descending splenic flexure, 6% in the transverse colon, and 8% were in the ascending colon or hepatic flexure. In black persons 64% of diverticula were in the sigmoid colon, 8% in the descending colon or splenic flexure, 7% in the transverse colon, and 20% in the ascending colon or hepatic flexure (P = .0008). The proportion of patients with diverticula increased with age: 35% were 50 years or younger, 40% were 51-60 years, and 58% were older than 60 years. The proportion of patients with more than 10 diverticula increased with age: 8% were 50 years or younger, 15% were 51-60 years, and 30% were older than 60 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Older individuals not only have a higher prevalence of diverticula than younger individuals, but also a greater density, indicating that this is a progressive disease. Black persons have a greater percentage of their diverticula in the proximal colon and fewer in the distal colon compared with white persons. Understanding the distribution and determinants of diverticula is the first step in preventing diverticulosis and its complications.

Prevalence of colonic diverticulosis in mainland China from 2004 to 2014

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of colonic diverticulosis in mainland China. Sixty two thousand and thirty-four colonoscopies performed between Jan 2004 and Dec 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. The overall diverticulosis prevalence was 1.97% and out of this, 85.3% was right-sided. Prevalence does not change, significantly, on trends between the period 2004-2014. The peak of prevalence of diverticulosis was compared between the female group aged >70 years to the male one of 41-50 years. The other peak, otherwise, was compared between the group of 51-60 years with the right-sided diverticulosis to the one of >70 years with left-sided disease. Multivariate analysis suggested that the male gender could be a risk factor for diverticulosis in the group aged ≤70 years, but not for the older patients. In addition, among men was registered an increased risk factor for right-sided diverticulosis and, at the same time, a protective one for left-sided localization. In conclusion, the prevalence of colonic diverticulosis is very low in mainland China and it does not change significantly on trends over the time. Both the prevalence of this condition and its distribution changes according to the age and the genders. These findings may lead the researchers to investigate the mechanisms causing this kind of disease and its distribution in regard of the age and the gender.

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.

Visceral Abdominal Obesity Measured by Computed Tomography is Associated With Increased Risk of Colonic Diverticulosis

GOALS

To investigate whether visceral obesity measured by computed tomography (CT) is a risk factor for colonic diverticulosis.

BACKGROUND

The association between colonoscopy-proven diverticulosis and visceral obesity has not been studied.

STUDY

A cohort of 1445 participants (1117 nondiverticulosis and 328 diverticulosis) undergoing colonoscopy and CT was prospectively analyzed. Diverticulosis was diagnosed by high-resolution colonoscopy. The associations between body mass index (BMI), visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) area, and diverticulosis were estimated using odds ratios (ORs) adjusted for age, sex, alcohol, smoking, medications, and comorbidities.

RESULTS

In multivariate analysis, diverticulosis was significantly associated with VAT area and SAT area for both categorical data and trend (P for trend <0.001), but not BMI.Diverticulosis had a positive association with VAT area and SAT area for both categorical data and trend (P for trend <0.001) in men, but none of these associations were noted in women. In the subanalysis of normal-weight patients (BMI<25), diverticulosis was independently associated with VAT area and SAT area (P for trend <0.001). The adjusted ORs for VAT area ≥100 cm² was significantly increased in right-sided (OR, 1.8), left-sided (OR, 2.3), and bilateral (OR, 3.0) diverticula (P for trend <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Abdominal obesity measured by CT, not BMI, is associated with colonic diverticulosis, even when body weight was normal. These findings suggest an important role for visceral fat accumulation in diverticulosis development. A high visceral fat was positively associated with the distribution of diverticula.

Association Between Colonic Diverticulosis and Erectile Dysfunction: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

We investigated whether colonic diverticulosis (CD) is associated with an increased risk of the subsequent development of erectile dysfunction (ED).We identified 2879 patients, diagnosed with CD between 1998 and 2011 from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database as the study cohort. Patients in a comparison cohort were frequency-matched with those in the CD cohort at a ratio of 1:4, frequency matched according to age (in 5-year bands) and year of CD diagnosis. The patients were followed-up until ED development, withdrawal from the National Health Insurance system, or the end of 2011. For both cohorts, the overall and age-specific incidence density rates of ED (per 1000 person-years) were calculated. The effects of age, CD, and other comorbidities on the risk of ED development were examined using Cox proportional hazards regression models.The average follow-up durations were 4.76 years and 4.97 years for the CD patients and comparison cohorts, respectively. The overall incidence of ED was 1.70-fold higher in the CD cohort than in the comparison cohort (2.92 and 1.71 per 1000 person-years, respectively). Colonic diverticulosis was an independent risk factor for subsequent ED development (adjusted HR [aHR] = 1.56, 95% confidence interval = 1.07-2.28) in a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model.In this large retrospective cohort study, CD was associated with future ED development. Additional studies are required for validating our results.

Natural history of bleeding risk in colonic diverticulosis patients: a long-term colonoscopy-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

The natural history of bleeding risk from colonic diverticulosis remains unclear.

AIM

To identify the incidence of bleeding in colonic diverticulosis patients and associated risk factors.

METHODS

A cohort of 1514 patients with colonoscopy-confirmed asymptomatic diverticulosis was selected between 2001 and 2013. Age, sex and location of colonic diverticulosis (right or left side, or bilateral) were assessed. The endpoint was a bleeding event, and data were censored at the time of last colonoscopy. The cumulative and overall incidences of bleeding were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier and person-years methods. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs).

RESULTS

The median follow-up period was 46 months. Bleeding events occurred in 35 patients, and the median time-to-event interval was 50 months. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the cumulative incidence of diverticular bleeding was 0.21% at 12 months, 2.2% at 60 months and 9.5% at 120 months. By the person-years method, the overall incidence rate of bleeding was 0.46 per 1000 patient-years. On multivariate analysis, age ≥70 (aHR. 3.7) and bilateral diverticulosis (aHR, 2.4) were significant risk factors for bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

This long-term follow-up study demonstrated that the cumulative incidence of bleeding from diverticulosis was approximately 2% at 5 years and 10% at 10 years, and the overall incidence was 0.46 per 1000 patient-years. Bilateral diverticulosis increased the risk of bleeding.

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.

Association between Diverticular Disease and Pre-Neoplastic Colorectal Lesions in an Urban African-American Population

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether there is a shared pathway in the development of diverticular disease (DD) and potentially neoplastic colorectal lesions since both diseases are found in similar age groups and populations.

AIM

To determine the association between DD and colorectal pre-neoplastic lesions in an African-American urban population.

METHODS

Data from 1986 patients who underwent colonoscopy at the Howard University Hospital from January 2012 through December 2012 were analyzed for this study. The presence of diverticula and polyps was recorded using colonoscopy reports. Polyps were further classified into adenoma or hyperplastic polyp based on histopathology reports. Multiple logistic regression was done to analyze the association between DD and colonic lesions.

RESULTS

Of the 1986 study subjects, 1,119 (56%) were females, 35% had DD and 56% had at least one polyp. There was a higher prevalence of polyps (70 vs. 49%; OR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.9-2.8) and adenoma (43 vs. 25%; OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.7-2.5) in the diverticular vs. non-diverticula patients. Among patients who underwent screening colonoscopy, the presence of diverticulosis was associated with increased odds of associated polyps (OR = 9.9; 95% CI: 5.4-16.8) and adenoma (OR = 5.1; 95% CI: 3.4-7.8).

CONCLUSION

Patients with DD are more likely to harbor colorectal lesions. These findings call for more vigilance on the part of endoscopists during colonoscopy in patients known to harbor colonic diverticula.

The role of diet on intestinal microbiota metabolism: downstream impacts on host immune function and health, and therapeutic implications

Dietary impacts on health may be one of the oldest concepts in medicine; however, only in recent years have technical advances in mass spectroscopy, gnotobiology, and bacterial sequencing enabled our understanding of human physiology to progress to the point where we can begin to understand how individual dietary components can affect specific illnesses. This review explores the current understanding of the complex interplay between dietary factors and the host microbiome, concentrating on the downstream implications on host immune function and the pathogenesis of disease. We discuss the influence of the gut microbiome on body habitus and explore the primary and secondary effects of diet on enteric microbial community structure. We address the impact of consumption of non-digestible polysaccharides (prebiotics and fiber), choline, carnitine, iron, and fats on host health as mediated by the enteric microbiome. Disease processes emphasized include non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, IBD, and cardiovascular disease/atherosclerosis. The concepts presented in this review have important clinical implications, although more work needs to be done to develop fully and validate potential therapeutic approaches. Specific dietary interventions offer exciting potential for nontoxic, physiologic ways to alter enteric microbial structure and metabolism to benefit the natural history of many intestinal and systemic disorders.

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.