Colonic diverticulosis in India: the changing scene.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of colonic diverticulosis has a wide geographic and ethnic variation and has been considered to be quite low in India. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of colonic diverticulosis in northern India based on barium enema examination in symptomatic patients. METHODS: All barium enema examinations performed between January 1985 and December 1991 were reviewed for the presence of colonic diverticulosis. Clinical data of such patients were retrieved. RESULTS: 51 (3.2%) of 1610 barium enema studies showed colonic diverticulosis. The frequency of diverticulosis in barium studies increased from 0.3% among subjects in the third decade to 32.4% in patients above 60 years. Most patients were city dwellers, vegetarians and belonged to the upper socio-economic stratum. Twenty patients (39.2%) presented with a complication; the spectrum of such patients was no different from that reported from the West. While the sigmoid colon was the commonest site of diverticuli, there was a relative preponderance of right sided diverticuli as compared to the Western experience. Seven patients with complications required surgical treatment, while the rest were managed conservatively. CONCLUSION: Colonic diverticulosis and its complications are not rare in India and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of abdominal disorders.