Psychological and colonic factors in painful diverticulosis.
BACKGROUND
The importance of psychological factors in symptom expression in diverticulosis is unknown. This follow-up study assessed the relative importance of colonic and psychological factors in symptom expression.


METHODS
Patients with barium enema-proven diverticula were sent a bowel symptom questionnaire in 1999 and again in 2006 with additional psychological questionnaires included.


RESULTS
Some 170 of 261 initial responders were eligible for follow-up and 124 (72.9 per cent) provided complete replies. Forty-two (33.9 per cent) of 124 respondents experienced recurrent abdominal pain a median of 3.5 (interquartile range (i.q.r.) 2.00-9.25) days per month, with a median duration of 1 (i.q.r. 0.7-2) h. Multivariable analysis identified a history of acute diverticulitis (odds ratio 3.98; P = 0.010) and a raised score on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (odds ratio 2.53; P = 0.030) as the best predictors of recurrent pain.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychological and colonic factors are important in symptom expression in diverticulosis.
Humes
D J
DJ
Wolfson Digestive Diseases Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Simpson
J
J
Neal
K R
KR
Scholefield
J H
JH
Spiller
R C
RC
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications*; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology*; D004241:Diverticulum, Colon / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires