Association between colonic polyps and diverticular disease

Aims The prevalence of diverticular colon and colorectal polyps increases with age. The association between diverticular disease and colorectal polyps has been reported in the literature, but the results were contradictory. Despite sharing predisposing epidemiological factors, the relationship between diverticular disease and colorectal polyps remains unclear and requires further clarification. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between diverticular disease and colorectal polyps.

Methods This is a retrospective monocentric study collecting data from colonoscopies performed over a 5-year period in a digestive endoscopy unit. Demographic, clinical, biological, and endoscopic data were collected. The colonic diverticulosis was defined as the presence of one or more colonic diverticula observed during colonoscopy.

Results A total of 2,458 colonoscopies were included in the study. The prevalence of patients with colonic diverticulosis, assessed via colonoscopy, was 9% (N=221). The average age of patients with colonic diverticulosis was 68 years (range: 31-92 years), with a slight male predominance at 51%. Twenty-two patients had a history of polyps (11.1%), and four patients had a family history of colorectal cancer. The main indications for colonoscopy were constipation (19.5%), abdominal pain (19%), chronic diarrhea (6.8%), rectal bleeding (22.2%), and iron deficiency anemia (10.4%). Eighty-six patients had adequate bowel preparation (Boston score≥7). Univariate analysis indicated that colonic diverticulosis was significantly associated with abdominal pain (p=0.005), advanced age (p<10-3), and colorectal polyps (p<10-3). However, colonic diverticulosis was not associated with colorectal cancer (p=0.71). In multivariate analysis, only advanced age and abdominal pain were significantly associated with colonic diverticulosis (p<10-3 for both).

Conclusions There is a significant association between diverticulosis and synchronous colorectal polyps. This observation needs further validation by a large prospective cohort study.

Conflicts of Interest

Authors do not have any conflict of interest to disclose.

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
27. März 2025