The prevalence of symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease could be lower than expected: a single-center colonoscopy-based cohort study

Aim The real prevalence of symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) is still unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of SUDD, post-diverticulitis SUDD (PD-SUDD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms in a real-life population. Methods A cohort of patients, submitted to colonoscopy from 1st January 2012 to 30th April 2018 was revised. Results A cohort of 5451 patients with diverticulosis was identified during the study period. Abdominal pain was recorded in 1141 patients (20.93%), diarrhea in 288 (5.28%) and constipation in 536 (9.83%) patients. SUDD was recorded in 371 patients (6.81% of the patients having diverticulosis and 32.51% of the patients experiencing abdominal pain), PD-SUDD was recorded in 103 patients (1.89% of the patients having diverticulosis and 9.03% of the patients experiencing abdominal pain) and IBS-like was recorded in 348 patients (6.38% of the patients having diverticulosis and 30.5% of the patients experiencing abdominal pain). Three hundred and nineteen patients were not part of any of the previous categories (5.85% of the patients having diverticulosis and 27.96% of the patients experiencing abdominal pain). SUDD and PD-SUDD were more frequent in older ages (>60 years), while IBS-like symptoms were more frequent in younger. Nonspecific abdominal pain was equally distributed in through the ages. Conclusion The prevalence of SUDD seems to be lower than expected, and most of patients with diverticulosis and abdominal symptoms may suffer from IBS-like or other causes. Copyright (C) 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The prevalence of symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) in a real-life population seems to be lower than expected, with most patients with diverticulosis and abdominal symptoms likely suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms or other causes. SUDD and post-diverticulitis SUDD (PD-SUDD) were more common in older patients (>60 years), while IBS-like symptoms were more common in younger patients.