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Diverticulitis in the younger patient

Sonlee D West1, Emily K Robinson, Adam N Delu

  • 1Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical School, Houston 77026, USA.

American Journal of Surgery
|December 16, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Diverticulitis is increasingly affecting younger individuals, with no significant differences in presentation, treatment, or complications compared to older patients. This study highlights a shift in the typical patient demographic for this condition.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Diverticulitis presentation and treatment patterns were analyzed at an urban county hospital.
  • Focus on indigent patients and comparison between younger and older age groups.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine diverticulitis presentation in a predominantly indigent patient population.
  • To analyze age-related differences in diverticulitis presentation and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 64 patient medical records (1995-2001).
  • Inclusion criteria: diverticulitis confirmed operatively or radiographically.
  • Patients divided into two groups: ≤50 years and >50 years.

Main Results:

  • Mean age of patients was 45.5 years; 72% were under 50.
  • No significant differences found in sex, surgical procedures, or complication rates between age groups.
  • A trend towards increased surgical intervention in younger patients did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions:

  • The study population with diverticulitis is younger than previously reported.
  • Diverticulitis in young patients at this institution does not appear to be more aggressive.
  • Further research may be needed to understand the trend towards increased surgical intervention in younger demographics.
Abstract

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