title: Pattern and distribution of colonic diverticulosis: analysis of 2877 barium enemas in Thailand.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the pattern and distribution of colonic diverticulosis in Thai adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of the computerized radiology database for double contrast barium enema (DCBE) in Thai adults was performed at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. Incomplete studies and DCBE examinations performed in non-Thai individuals were excluded. The pattern and distribution of colonic diverticulosis detected during DCBE studies from June 2009 to October 2011 were determined. The occurrence of solitary cecal diverticulum, rectal diverticulum and giant diverticulum were reported. Factors influencing the presence of colonic diverticulosis were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 2877 suitable DCBE examinations were retrospectively reviewed. The mean age of patients was 59.8 ± 14.7 years. Of these patients, 1778 (61.8%) were female and 700 (24.3%) were asymptomatic. Colonic diverticulosis was identified in 820 patients (28.5%). Right-sided diverticulosis (641 cases; 22.3%) was more frequently reported than left-sided diverticulosis (383 cases; 13.3%). Pancolonic diverticulosis was found in 98 cases (3.4%). The occurrence of solitary cecal diverticulum, rectal diverticulum and giant diverticulum were 1.5% (42 cases), 0.4% (12 cases), and 0.03% (1 case), respectively. There was no significant difference in the overall occurrence of colonic diverticulosis between male and female patients (28.3% vs 28.6%, P = 0.85). DCBE examinations performed in patients with some gastrointestinal symptoms revealed the frequent occurrence of colonic diverticulosis compared with those performed in asymptomatic individuals (29.5% vs 25.3%, P = 0.03). Change in bowel habit was strongly associated with the presence of diverticulosis (a relative risk of 1.39; P = 0.005). The presence of diverticulosis was not correlated with age in symptomatic patients or asymptomatic individuals (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Colonic diverticulosis was identified in 28.5% of DCBE examinations in Thai adults. There was no association between the presence of diverticulosis and gender or age.
authors.affiliation: Varut Lohsiriwat, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
authors.forename: Varut
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lohsiriwat
authors.affiliation: Varut Lohsiriwat, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
authors.forename: Wanwarang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Suthikeeree
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001466:Barium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D043963:Diverticulosis, Colonic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004733:Enema; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D001466:Barium Sulfate
keywords: Barium enema; Cecal diverticulum; Colonic diverticulosis; Diverticular disease; Giant diverticulum; Pattern; Rectal diverticulum; Thailand