Original articleAlimentary tractDistribution and Characteristics of Colonic Diverticula in a United States Screening Population
Section snippets
Methods
The purpose of this study was to assess risk factors associated with colonic diverticula (National Institutes of Health, R01DK094738). In brief, the study recruited outpatients between 2013 and 2015 undergoing a first-time screening colonoscopy at the University of North Carolina Hospital in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Eligible participants were 30 years and older, had a satisfactory preparation for colonoscopy, and a complete examination to the cecum. Exclusion criteria included any prior
Results
Our analysis included 624 participants. Of these, 260 (42%) had 1 or more diverticula on colonoscopy. Among those with diverticula, the mean number was 14 (range, 1–158). Participants with diverticula were more likely to be older, male, and have a higher body mass index and waist circumference than those without diverticula (Table 1).
Most diverticula were located in the sigmoid colon (Figure 1), although the distribution differed significantly by race. Among white persons, 75% of diverticula
Discussion
In the United States, many individuals older than 30 have sigmoid diverticula with the prevalence and density increasing with age suggesting this is a progressive disease. Although the sigmoid colon is disproportionately affected by diverticula compared with other locations, the distribution differs by race. Black persons have significantly more of their diverticula in the proximal colon and fewer in the distal colon compared with white persons. Peridiverticular muscular hypertrophy and
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Conflicts of interest The authors disclose no conflicts.
Funding This research was supported, in part, by grants from the National Institutes of Health (P30 DK034987, R01DK09473, T32DK07634) and by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health (Grant KL2TR001109). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.