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Acute sigmoid diverticulitis in young patients

Jyrki T Mäkelä1, Heikki O Kiviniemi, Seppo T Laitinen

  • 1Department of Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, P.O.Box 22, 90029 OYS, Finland. jyrki.makela@oulu.fi

Hepato-Gastroenterology
|December 3, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Younger patients (under 50) are more often admitted for uncomplicated acute diverticulitis. Their disease course is not more aggressive than in older patients, with lower mortality rates.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Surgical Gastroenterology
  • Clinical Epidemiology

Background:

  • The clinical course and surgical treatment needs for acute diverticulitis in young patients remain controversial.
  • Diverticulitis affects individuals of all ages, with varying disease severity and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the natural history of acute diverticulitis in patients under and over 50 years of age.
  • To evaluate disease virulence, complication rates, and surgical treatment necessity based on age.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 1081 patients with acute diverticulitis (1986-2006).
  • Comparison of patients under vs. over 50 regarding disease type (uncomplicated vs. complicated), admissions, surgery, morbidity, mortality, and recurrence.
  • Statistical analysis of demographic and clinical data.

Main Results:

  • Patients under 50 were more frequently admitted for uncomplicated diverticulitis (81% vs. 36%, p=0.001).
  • Overall mortality was 2% (0% for under 50, 3% for over 50).
  • Recurrence occurred in 34% of first-time acute diverticulitis admissions; perforation occurred in 20% of cases.

Conclusions:

  • Younger patients (<50 years) are more commonly diagnosed with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis.
  • The disease progression in younger individuals is not demonstrably more aggressive than in older counterparts.
  • Age is a significant factor in diverticulitis presentation and outcomes.
Abstract

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