title: Constipation is not associated with diverticular disease - Analysis of 976 patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the light of controversial data in the literature, the present study was designed to evaluate potential associations between colonic diverticular disease, constipation and quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively enrolled 976 consecutive patients, who participated in the nationwide colorectal cancer screening program in four medical centers between 2008 and 2009. All patients underwent full colonoscopy and completed a standardized questionnaire. The severity of constipation was assessed by the validated Wexner constipation score. Quality of Life (QOL) was evaluated by the SF-12 health score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median age was 62 years (range 22-90) and the male to female ratio was 1:1. Colonic diverticular disease was found in 290 participants (30%). Age, body mass index and diabetes mellitus were significantly associated with the presence of diverticular disease (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0007 and p = 0.0178). The median constipation score in patients with diverticular disease was 3 (range 0-18), and comparable to patients without diverticula (p = 0.1073). The physical component summary of the SF-12 was significantly reduced in patients with diverticular disease (p = 0.0038).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This large population based study revealed no association between colonic diverticular disease and constipation. Notably, the presence of diverticular disease significantly impacts quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Vienna, Department of Surgery, Austria.
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Braunschmid
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Vienna, Department of Surgery, Austria.
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stift
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Statistics, Informatics and Intelligent Systems, Austria.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mittlböck
authors.affiliation: Southampton University Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lord
authors.affiliation: Endoscopic Center, Anton-Baumgartner-Straße 44, 1230 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Friedrich Anton
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Weiser
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Vienna, Department of Surgery, Austria. Electronic address: stefan.riss@meduniwien.ac.at.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Riss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003113:Colonoscopy; D003248:Constipation / Q000150:complications*; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D043963:Diverticulosis, Colonic / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Constipation; Diverticular disease; Diverticulosis; Obesity; Quality of life