Clinical characteristics of colonic diverticulitis in young patients

Hwang, Kyu Yeop; Yang, Hyeon Woong; Kim, Sae Hee; Kim, An Na; Jung, Sung Hee; Lee, Yun Jung; Cha, Sang Woo

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colonic diverticulitis is an uncommon disease in young patients. However, the frequency appears to have increased in Korea among young patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnosis, treatment and clinical course of young patients with diverticulitis of the colon.
METHODS
The hospital records of 70 patients with diverticulitis between July 1997 and April 2006 from the Eulji university hospital were reviewed. We analyzed the clinical course and outcomes of patients according to age.
RESULTS
In the 36 patients below the age of 40, the male to female ratio was 2:1. Thirty four young patients had right uncomplicated colonic diverticulitis. Twenty four young patients treated with antibiotics did not require surgery or develop complications.
CONCLUSION
The majority of young patients with diverticulitis were in their fourth decade of life and it was predominantly seen in males. Diverticulitis in young patients at our hospital did not appear to take a more aggressive clinical course than it did in older patients. Bowel rest and antibiotic treatment were safe and effective treatments for acute uncomplicated colonic diverticulitis in young patients.