Amer Mohammad Sadik*, Ismael Hammad, Daad Doghman
Background: Colonic diverticulosis is a common disease of advanced age, and is associated with a significant morbidity and mortality.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence rate of colon diverticulosis and also detecting complications resulting from the disease.
Patients and methods: An Observational Retrospective Analytic study conducted for the period 5 years (January 2017-January 2022) at Tishreen University Hospital in Lattakia-Syria. The study included all colonoscopies performed for various indications, and 156 patients who found to have diverticula were evaluated regarding to demographic characteristics, location of diverticula, and complications.
Results: The prevalence of colonic diverticulosis was 7.7%, and patients were being predominantly males (63.5%). Colonic diverticulosis was observed more frequently in the age groups 60 years-70 years (26.9%), and 70 years-80 years (34%). Gastrointestinal bleeding represented the most frequent indication for colonoscopy (20.5%), followed by abdominal pain (19.9%), and constipation (18.6%). Left-sided of the colon was the most affected part (73 cases: 46.8%) and the most common location was the sigmoid (62.2%), with presence of multiple diverticula in majority of patients (80.8%). Complications developed in 15 cases (9.6%) as follow: Diverticular bleeding (5.1%), diverticulitis (3.2%), and fistula (1.3%), with presence of a significant correlation between the site of diverticula and complications.
Conclusion: The current study demonstrated that colonic diverticulosis incidence in Syria is low, more common in elderly individuals and males with possibility of developing complications that lead to surgical intervention.