The Pathophysiology of Colonic Diverticulosis: Inflammation versus Constipation?

Diverticulosis of the colon is the most common anatomic alteration of the human colon, but the pathophysiologic mechanisms of its occurrence are not completely understood.

Constipation has been considered the key factor for diverticulosis occurrence. However, several fine papers questioned this pathogenetic hypothesis, showing on the contrary an inverse relationship between low number of bowel movements and diverticulosis occurrence. In the last years, several papers have showed the role of low-grade inflammation in the occurrence of symptoms in people having diverticulosis, as well as its role on symptom persistence following acute diverticulitis, even if the evidence available is not so strong. Although the trigger of this low-grade inflammation is currently under debate, some preliminary evidence found colonic dysbiosis linked to symptom occurrence in those patients.

Constipation no longer seems the leading cause for diverticulosis occurrence, while low-grade inflammation could play a role in symptom occurrence.