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TOPLINE:

Uncomplicated diverticulosis was not associated with increased abdominal pain or altered bowel habits.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers conducted a population-based cohort study in Sweden to compare the frequency, intensity, and location of abdominal pain and bowel habits between individuals with and without diverticulosis.
• A total of 745 individuals selected from the general population of urban districts in Stockholm underwent colonoscopy, with 258 individuals (median age, 56 years; 64% women) completing a 7-day symptom diary prior to the procedure. None had a previous history of acute diverticulitis.
• Abdominal pain severity, location, and duration were recorded hourly by participants, and bowel habits were documented in symptom diaries using the Bristol stool form scale.
• Pain severity was rated on a three-point scale, and pain location was mapped onto four abdominal quadrants. The left lower quadrant pain was defined as any pain occurrence involving this region but not limited to it.
• All pathological findings, including localisation, were recorded by endoscopists, with 50 of 258 individuals having diverticulosis. Irritable bowel syndrome status was determined by the gastroenterologist during the consultation.

TAKEAWAY:

• No significant association was found between diverticulosis and abdominal pain (odds ratio [OR], 1.24; P = .55).
• Left lower quadrant abdominal pain was not more frequent in individuals with diverticulosis than in those without the condition (P = .24).
• When pain occurred in individuals with diverticulosis, it was more often located in the left lower quadrant (OR, 2.45; P = .045).
• Diverticulosis was not associated with changes in bowel movement frequency, urgency, straining, or Bristol Stool Form Scale score.

IN PRACTICE:

"Our results do not support that uncomplicated diverticulosis causes symptoms in individuals without a history of acute diverticulitis," the authors wrote.

SOURCE:

The study was led by Bjarki T. Alexandersson, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. It was published online on February 17, 2025, in Neurogastroenterology & Motility.

LIMITATIONS:

The sample size was modest. All participants did not complete the symptom diaries, leading to potential missing data. The findings need to be replicated in diverse geographical areas and cultures to enhance generalisability.

DISCLOSURES:

This study was supported by the Ruth och Richard Julins Foundation and Stiftelsen Professor Nanna Svartz Fond. Some authors disclosed receiving personal fees or research support, holding patents, serving on committees, or acting as speakers or advisory board members.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.