title: Prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic colorectal diverticulosis in Taiwan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic colorectal diverticulosis in Taiwanese general population.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2009 to December 2011, consecutive asymptomatic subjects undergoing a health check-up were evaluated by colonoscopy. The colorectal diverticulosis was assessed, and a medical history and demographic data were obtained from each subject. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to search the risk factors of colorectal diverticulosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 1899 asymptomatic subjects, the prevalence of colorectal diverticulosis was 13.5%. On univariate logistic regression analysis, age over 60 years old, male, adenomatous polyp, current smoking and heavy alcohol consumption were significantly associated with diverticulosis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age over 60 years old (relative risk [RR], 2.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.64-6.47), adenomatous polyps (RR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.18-4.61) and heavy alcohol consumption (RR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.04-3.08) were independent predictors for colorectal diverticulosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of asymptomatic colorectal diverticulosis was 13.5% in Taiwan. Age over 60 years old, adenomatous polyp and heavy alcohol consumption may affect the risk of development of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung City, 81362, Taiwan. wfwei@vghks.gov.tw.|Department of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, 803, Taiwan. wfwei@vghks.gov.tw.
authors.forename: Fu-Wei
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, 803, Taiwan. hychuang@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hung-Yi
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung City, 81362, Taiwan. mstu@vghks.gov.tw.
authors.forename: Ming-Shium
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.affiliation: Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung City, 81362, Taiwan. tmking@vghks.gov.tw.
authors.forename: Tai-Ming
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung City, 81362, Taiwan. wang@vghks.gov.tw.
authors.forename: Jui-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung City, 81362, Taiwan. cwhsu@vghks.gov.tw.
authors.forename: Chao-Wen
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, 386 Ta-Chung 1 st Road, Kaohsiung City, 80424, Taiwan. williamhsup@yahoo.com.tw.|School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. williamhsup@yahoo.com.tw.
authors.forename: Ping-I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, 386 Ta-Chung 1 st Road, Kaohsiung City, 80424, Taiwan. wcchen@vghks.gov.tw.|School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. wcchen@vghks.gov.tw.
authors.forename: Wen-Chi
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D018256:Adenomatous Polyps / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology; D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D043963:Diverticulosis, Colonic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004240:Diverticulum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult