Colonic diverticular disease - How common is it?
Diverticula are small pouches of tissue that bulge outwards from your gut wall. They are most common in older people.
In the UK, doctors believe that:[1]
- About 5 in 100 people in their 40s have diverticula
- About 50 in 100 people in their 80s have diverticula.
About 20 in 100 people who have diverticula get symptoms (when it’s called diverticular disease).[2]
Diverticular disease has been called a ‘disease of Western civilisation’, because it is most common in the United States, Europe and Australia. It’s almost unknown in parts of Africa and Asia.[3] [4] This backs up the idea that diverticula have something to do with the Western diet, which tends to be low in fibre. Western vegetarians who eat a lot of fibre are less likely to have diverticula than Western non-vegetarians.[5]
References
- Parks TG. Natural history of diverticular disease of the colon. Clinical Gastroenterology. 1975; 4: 53-69.
- Simpson J, Neal KR, Scholefield JH, et al. Patterns of pain in diverticular disease and the influence of acute diverticulitis. European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2003; 15: 1005-1010.
- Stollman NH, Raskin JB. Diagnosis and management of diverticular disease of the colon in adults. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 1999; 94: 3110-3121.
- Painter NS, Burkett DP. Diverticular disease of the colon: a 20th Century problem. Clinical Gastroenterology. 1975; 4: 3-21.
- Gear JS, Ware A, Fursdon P, et al. Symptomless diverticular disease and intake of dietary fibre. Lancet. 1979; 1: 511-514.
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This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.
