The cause of diverticulosis is unclear, but it has been associated with increased intraluminal pressure from constipation or increasing abdominal girth in obesity. The standard Western diet (high-fat, low-fiber) has a strong association with the incidence of diverticulosis. The low-fiber diet is thought to predispose a person to diverticulosis, owing to a slower fecal transit time and smaller stool weight.
Although some estimates originally suggested about 15%-20% of patients with diverticulosis develop diverticulitis, the numbers may be closer to 1%-4%. The incidence of diverticular disease increases with age and is present in more than 65% of individuals older than 85 years. The mean age at presentation appears to be about 60 years. In those younger than 50 years, diverticulitis is more common among men; a slight female preponderance exists between the ages of 50 and 70 years, and a marked female preponderance is noted in those older than 70 years.
Read more about the etiology and epidemiology of diverticular disease.
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Cite this: B.S. Anand. Fast Five Quiz: Diverticulitis and Diverticulosis - Medscape - Jul 01, 2020.
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