Diverticulitis in young versus elderly patients: a meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Gastroenterology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Diverticulitis affects a significant number of patients, with varying outcomes based on age.
• Understanding age-related differences in diverticulitis is crucial for effective patient management and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the incidence of complications, disease recurrence, and surgical intervention in diverticulitis patients younger than 50 years versus those older than 50 years.
• To analyze age-specific risks associated with diverticulitis management.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis were performed adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
• Longitudinal cohort studies comparing diverticulitis patients younger and older than 50 were systematically searched in MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases.

Main Results:

• Eight studies involving 23,079 patients were analyzed. Patients under 50 had a significantly higher risk of recurrent diverticulitis (30% vs. 17.3%).
• The need for surgery during initial hospitalization for diverticulitis was similar across both age groups (approx. 20%).
• Younger patients were more likely to require urgent surgery for recurrent episodes (7.3% vs. 4.9%), though the absolute difference was modest.

Conclusions:

• Age is a significant factor in diverticulitis recurrence risk, with younger patients experiencing higher rates.
• While younger patients face a higher relative risk for urgent surgery in recurrent diverticulitis, the absolute risk difference compared to older patients is relatively small.