title: Clinical features of symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease: a multicenter Italian survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Clinical features of symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease are poorly investigated. Abdominal symptoms may be similar to those of irritable bowel syndrome. This survey aimed to assess clinical features associated with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  This multicenter survey included consecutive outpatients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease to whom a detailed clinical questionnaire regarding demographic, lifestyle, and clinical features was administered. Diagnosis was based on the presence of diverticula and abdominal pain/discomfort. Irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia were assessed according to Rome III criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 598 patients (50 % female, age 69 years), 71 % with newly diagnosed symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease and 29 % with history of colonic diverticula, were recruited. Diverticula were localized in the left colon in 78 % of the patients. Recurrent short-lived abdominal pain (<24 h) was present in 70 % (relieved by evacuation in 73 %), prolonged abdominal pain (>24 h) in 27 %, and recurrent abdominal bloating in 61 % of the patients. Normal, loose, or hard stools were reported by 58, 29, and 13 % of patients, respectively. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like and functional dyspepsia-like symptoms were recorded in 59 and 7 % of patients, respectively. IBS-like symptoms (odds ratio, 4.3) were associated in patients with prolonged abdominal pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease is associated with a gender ratio of 1:1 and an unspecific clinical picture mainly characterized by normal stools, short-lived abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, IBS-like symptoms, while functional dyspepsia-like symptoms are not commonly present. These findings suggest that symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease often shows similar findings rather than overlaps IBS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Digestive and Liver Disease, University Sapienza, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy. bruno.annibale@uniroma1.it
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Annibale
authors.forename: Edith
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lahner
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maconi
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Usai
authors.forename: Santino
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marchi
authors.forename: Gabrio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bassotti
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barbara
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cuomo
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000150:complications; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003710:Demography; D004238:Diverticulitis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000150:complications; D005243:Feces; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult