Diverticular disease in the elderly.
The prevalence of diverticular disease shows a striking correlation with advancing age. The spectrum of disease ranges from the entirely asymptomatic to a life-threatening surgical emergency. The diagnosis of acute diverticulitis is often particularly difficult to make in the elderly because of muted symptoms and signs. Current concepts of diagnosis and therapy are discussed.
Cheskin
L J
LJ
Division of Digestive Diseases, Francis Scott Key Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
Bohlman
M
M
Schuster
M M
MM
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004239:Diverticulitis, Colonic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004241:Diverticulum, Colon / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement