Constipation and a Low-Fiber Diet Are Not Associated With Diverticulosis

Anne F Peery; Adrian N Holm; Robert S Sandler; Dennis J Ahnen; Joseph A Galanko; Aasma Shaukat; Leila A Mott; Elizabeth L Barry; David A Fried; John A Baron

doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2013.06.033

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Constipation and a Low-Fiber Diet Are Not Associated With Diverticulosis

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Constipation and a Low-Fiber Diet Are Not Associated With Diverticulosis

Anne F Peery, Adrian N Holm, Robert S Sandler, Dennis J Ahnen, Joseph A Galanko, Aasma Shaukat, Leila A Mott, Elizabeth L Barry, David A Fried and John A Baron

Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology, Vol.11(12), pp.1622-1627

12/2013

DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2013.06.033

PMCID: PMC3840096

PMID: 23891924

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Abstract

Asymptomatic diverticulosis is commonly attributed to constipation caused by a low-fiber diet, although evidence for this mechanism is limited. We examined the associations between constipation and low dietary fiber intake with risk of asymptomatic diverticulosis. We performed a cross-sectional study that analyzed data from 539 individuals with diverticulosis and 1569 without (controls). Participants underwent colonoscopy and assessment of diet, physical activity, and bowel habits. Our analysis was limited to participants with no knowledge of their diverticular disease to reduce the risk of biased responses. Constipation was not associated with an increased risk of diverticulosis. Participants with less frequent bowel movements (<7/wk) had reduced odds of diverticulosis compared with those with regular bowel movements (7/wk) (odds ratio [OR], 0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40–0.80). Those reporting hard stools also had reduced odds (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.55–1.02). There was no association between diverticulosis and straining (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.59–1.22) or incomplete bowel movement (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.61–1.20). We found no association between dietary fiber intake and diverticulosis (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.71–1.30) in comparing the highest quartile with the lowest (mean intake, 25 vs 8 g/day). In our cross-sectional, colonoscopy-based study, neither constipation nor a low-fiber diet was associated with an increased risk of diverticulosis.

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Title: Subtitle: Constipation and a Low-Fiber Diet Are Not Associated With Diverticulosis
Creators: Anne F Peery - University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Adrian N Holm - University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinic, Iowa City, Iowa
Robert S Sandler - University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Dennis J Ahnen - Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, Colorado
Joseph A Galanko - University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Aasma Shaukat - Minneapolis Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Leila A Mott - Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
Elizabeth L Barry - Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
David A Fried - Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
John A Baron - University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology, Vol.11(12), pp.1622-1627
DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2013.06.033
PMID: 23891924
PMCID: PMC3840096
NLM abbreviation: Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol
ISSN: 1542-3565
eISSN: 1542-7714
Publisher: Elsevier Inc
Grant note: T32 DK07634; P30 DK034987; R01 DK094738; R01 CA098286 / National Institutes of Health
Language: English
Date published: 12/2013
Academic Unit: Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984094759402771

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