Increasing Diverticulosis in an Aging Population: A Colonoscopy-Based Study of 5-Year Trends in 26 463 Patients in Northern China

BACKGROUND: Because such data are scarce in northern China, the purpose of this study was to determine trends in diverticulosis over the past 5 years. MATERIAL/METHODS: A total of 26 463 patients (27 558 examinations, including 1095 repeated colonoscopies) performed between January 2011 and December 2015 were reviewed respectively. The distributions of diverticulosis were recorded, which were classified as right-sided, left-sided, and bilateral type. The trends in diverticulosis were analyzed in terms of aging and yearly increase. Additionally, associations of the occurrence of diverticulosis with age (≤39, 40–59, and ≥60 years) and sex were determined using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: We identified 1045 patients with colonic diverticulosis, with an overall prevalence of 3.8% (1045/27 558). A preponderance of right-sided diverticulosis was demonstrated, accounting for 72.9% (693/951) of included subjects. The proportion of colonic diverticulosis increased significantly (P<0.001 for trend), from 2.78% (112/4028) in 2011 to 4.98% (309/6208) in 2015. The proportion of patients of all age groups with diverticulosis increased significantly (P<0.001 for trend) in correlation with yearly increase. There was a greater proportion of diverticulosis, regardless of the distribution, in patients aged ≥60 than in younger age groups (P<0.001 for trend). Multivariate analysis showed older age and male sex (P<0.001) were independent risk factor for diverticulosis. CONCLUSIONS: Colonic diverticulosis has been increasing in northern China, where rapid aging is ongoing.