Virulent diverticular disease in young obese men

Philip R. Schauer, Raul Ramos, Abraham A. Ghiatas, Kenneth R. Sirinek

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

157 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent treatment of young patients (aged 40 years or less) with complicated diverticulitis prompted us to review our experience. During a 9-year period ending in December 1990, 61 of 238 patients treated for acute diverticulitis were 40 years of age or younger. The younger patients were primarily obese Hispanic males in whom the correct diagnosis was frequently missed. Younger patients more frequently required an operation on an urgent basis for complications of diverticulitis during the initial hospitalization. The most common indication for operation in young patients was perforation compared with recurrent disease for the older age group. The younger group had a sevenfold incidence of enteric fistulas complicating their acute episode of diverticulitis. Our data suggest that diverticular disease in young patients is more common and more likely to require early surgical intervention than previously noted. In addition, obesity may represent an important etiologic factor in the development of diverticular disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)443-448
Number of pages6
JournalThe American Journal of Surgery
Volume164
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1992
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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