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Diverticulitis in the Young
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Diverticulitis in the Young

Kunut Kijsirichareanchai, Charoen Mankongpaisarnrung, Grerk Sutamtewagul, Kenneth Nugent and Ariwan Rakvit
Journal of primary care & community health, Vol.6(1), pp.29-34
01/01/2015
DOI: 10.1177/2150131914548512
PMID: 25178276
url
https://doaj.org/article/1703293fdcef473b8598f6f6d7129bd6View
Open Access

Abstract

Background: Colonic diverticulitis is relatively uncommon in young patients, especially those younger than 40 years. We compared demographic data, clinical presentation, management, and clinical course of diverticulitis in patients <= 40 years old compared with patients >40 years old. Methods: This study included all patients who presented to the emergency department with a diagnosis of diverticulitis between October 1, 2009 and September 30, 2010. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (<= 40 years old) and group 2 (>40 years old). Demographic characteristics, clinical presentation and management, and short-term outcomes were compared. Results: Ninety-four patients were included in the study (37 patients in group 1 and 57 patients in group 2). A higher percentage of obese and Hispanic men was found in group 1 (P > .05). The rate of discharge from the emergency department was significantly higher in group 1 (56.8% in group 1 vs 7.0% in group 2, P < .01). Group 2 patients had a shorter median length of stay than group 1 patients (3.1 vs 5.7 days, P = .16). There were no differences in vital signs, laboratory data (including complete blood count and basic metabolic panel), and in-hospital mortality rates between the 2 groups. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that young Hispanic men develop diverticulitis and that this diagnosis needs to be considered when they present to emergency rooms with abdominal symptoms. A longitudinal study is needed to determine the long-term outcomes in these patients and to investigate the pathogenesis.
General & Internal Medicine Life Sciences & Biomedicine Primary Health Care Science & Technology

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