Fourteen-year study of hospital admissions for diverticular disease in Ontario.
BACKGROUND
Diverticular disease is one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions affecting the Canadian population, yet very little is known about its epidemiology.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to measure the rate of hospital admission for diverticular disease by age and sex over a 14-year period in the population of Ontario.


METHODS
The present study was a retrospective, population-based cohort study of all hospital admissions for diverticular disease from 1988 to 2002.


RESULTS
There were 133,875 hospital admissions during the period. Admission rates increased with age, and women were admitted at higher rates than men across all age groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Diverticular disease is an important cause of gastrointestinal morbidity. As the population ages, a rise in the incidence of diverticular disease can be anticipated. Future studies to explain sex difference in admissions are required.
Warner
Eiran
E
Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Crighton
Eric J
EJ
Moineddin
Rahim
R
Mamdani
Muhammad
M
Upshur
Ross
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D043963:Diverticulosis, Colonic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology