Clinical characteristics of colonic diverticulosis in Korea: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
The prevalence of colonic diverticulosis has been reported to be lower in Korea than in Western countries. This disease also shows markedly different characteristics in the Korean population. We describe herein a prospective investigation, based on colonoscopic examination, of the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and factors associated with colonic diverticulosis in Korea.


METHODS
The prevalence of colonic diverticulosis has been reported to be lower in Korea than in Western countries. This disease also shows markedly different characteristics in the Korean population. We describe herein a prospective investigation, based on colonoscopic examination, of the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and factors associated with colonic diverticulosis in Korea.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of colonic diverticulosis was 12.1% (103/848). The right side of the colon was involved in 84.5% of patients (87/103); patients with right side diverticula were, on average, younger than those with left side diverticulosis (p = 0.014). Multiple diverticula were observed in 60.2% (62/103) of patients. Age greater than 60 years, a high-fat diet, and alcohol consumption were significantly associated with the presence of colonic diverticulosis (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of colonic diverticulosis in Korea is increasing and is most commonly located in the right side of the colon. Further, old age and diet may affect the risk of development of this disease.
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jung Hoon
JH
Song
You Sun
YS
Kim
Jin Ho
JH
Lee
Kyung Sun
KS
Ok
Soo Hyung
SH
Ryu
Jung Hwan
JH
Lee
Jeong Seop
JS
Moon
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D003113:Colonoscopy; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D043963:Diverticulosis, Colonic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D004041:Dietary Fats