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Who Is Affected by Diverticulitis

It is hard to determine the exact incidence of diverticulosis (the formation of pouches in the wall of the large intestine), because most people who have colon pouches do not have symptoms. In general, diverticulosis becomes more likely with age.

About 20 out of 100 people who have been diagnosed with diverticulosis develop diverticulitis, which occurs when the pouches along the large intestine become inflamed or infected. Men and women are affected almost equally.1

Citations

  1. Davis BR, Matthews JB (2006). Diverticular disease of the colon. In M Wolfe et al., eds., Therapy of Digestive Disorders, 2nd ed., pp. 855–859. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Arvydas D. Vanagunas, MD - Gastroenterology
Last Revised July 26, 2010

Last Revised: July 26, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Arvydas D. Vanagunas, MD - Gastroenterology

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