Proportion of Colonic Diverticulosis and Its Associated Factors among Patients Underwent Colonoscopy

Aim: Diverticular disease is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders to date, with a notable rising trend in developing countries. However, the proportion of colonic diverticulosis and its associated factors among patients who have undergone colonoscopy remains controversial. This study aimed to determine the local data on the proportion of diverticular disease in the community, its complications, the association of diverticulosis with diabetes mellitus and hypertension, as well as demographic characteristics. Material and Methods: A retrospective review of medical records was performed among patients who had undergone colonoscopy between January and December 2019. Demographic and clinical characteristics, the presence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and diverticular disease and its complications were examined, and the association of diverticular disease and its complications with demographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed. Results: Out of 221 patients, 12.7% (n=28) of them had diverticular diseases with a slightly predominant right-sided occurrence (42.9%, n=12). There were significant associations with age (p=0.002), ethnicity (p=0.011), and hypertension (p=0.036), but not with gender and diabetes mellitus (p=0.261, and p=0.334, respectively). There was no significant association between hypertension and recurrence of complicated diverticulitis (p=0.741), septic complications (p=0.678), and diverticular bleeding (p=0.243). Diabetes mellitus was significantly associated with diverticular bleeding complications (p=0.001) but not with septic complications (p=0.418) and recurrence of complicated diverticulitis (p=0.629). Conclusion: This study showed almost a similar percentage of diverticulosis compared to previous local studies. Age, ethnicity, and hypertension were associated with the presence of diverticulosis, and diabetes mellitus was associated with diverticular bleeding.