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Origin of symptoms in diverticular disease.

BACKGROUND: A significant number of patients with colonic diverticula experience unexplained, recurrent, short-lived but often debilitating abdominal pain and alteration in bowel habit. Such patients account for many medical consultations every year but, as our understanding of the cause of their symptoms remains imperfect, treatment options are limited. This article reviews the possible mechanisms that may be responsible for the symptoms of diverticular disease. METHODS: Medline and Science Citation Index searches were performed to locate English language articles relating to colonic diverticula and symptoms published between January 1966 and July 2002. Manual cross-referencing was also performed and some historical articles were included. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Several theories now exist about the mechanisms underlying the symptoms of diverticular disease. Initial studies suggested that they may be due to alterations in the intracolonic pressure, extrapolating earlier thoughts on the likely pathogenesis of diverticula. It seems more likely, however, that several inter-related processes, such as muscular dysfunction, visceral hypersensitivity and inflammation, are involved in symptom generation.

Abdominal Pain↗

Rectosigmoidal mucosal puckering and diverticulosis.

The association of diverticulosis with a thickened muscle wall in the pelvic colon is well known. There appeared to be a possibility that this muscular thickening might give rise to the rectosigmoidal mucosal puckering often seen through a sigmoidoscope. In 278 colonic motility studies, mucosal puckering was correlated with patient age, diverticulosis, and the symptomatology of the irritable colon syndrome. The prevalence of mucosal puckering increased with age at the same rate as that of diverticulosis, but the different percentage levels were reached some 25 years earlier in life. Mucosal puckering, which persisted in all subsequent examinations, showed no correlation with the clinical characteristics of irritable colon syndrome. Resistance of the bowel wall to distention was significantly greater in association with puckered rectosigmoidal mucosa than when the mucosa appeared smooth. It is concluded that rectosigmoidal mucosal puckering is probably caused by thickening of the underlying muscle; it is a precursor of diverticulois, and patients who have it should be kept on a high-residue diet.

Adult↗

Simultaneous recording of myoelectrical activity and resistance from the human colon.

A system used to record myoelectrical activity from the rectosigmoid colon has been modified so that a continuous recording of electrical resistance is obtained simultaneously. Normal subjects, patients with diverticular disease and patients with the irritable colon syndrome have been studied by this method. There were variations in resistance in the form of waves for 74.7, 88.5 and 89.0% of the time in the three groups. These changes were abolished by intravenous glucagon. The predominant frequency of the waves was 2-4 c/min and often coincided with myoelectrical waves of the same frequency. It is concluded that the resistance changes are produced by local movement in the colonic wall at the electrode site and that this technique may be valuable in studying colonic motility.

Colon↗

[Motility of the sigmoid in irritable bowel syndrome and colonic diverticulosis].

The results of pressure recording in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulosis and diverticulosis with pain were compared with the results in control subjects. The motility showed variable higher values in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. The motility was clearly higher in patients with diverticulosis and in patients with diverticulosis with pain. The patients with irritable bowel syndrome were younger than the patients in the two groups with diverticulosis. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the irritable bowel syndrome is an aetiologic factor in diverticulosis.

Adult↗

Clinical picture of diverticular disease of the colon.

Uncomplicated diverticular disease is usually asymptomatic. When abdominal pain or discomfort related to defecation, altered bowel habit, and flatulence occur, they are likely a result of a coexistent irritable bowel. Nonetheless, diverticula are subject to serious complications. Diverticular hemorrhage may be massive and require emergency angiography and segmental resection. Peridiverticulitis occurs when a diverticulum ruptures, perhaps because of inspissated fecal material. This occurs usually in the sigmoid, resulting in a peridiverticular abscess localized by the adjacent fat and mesentery. If the infection extends beyond this, abscess, fistula, or free perforation may occur. These complications require antibiotics, intravenous therapy, and, in the case of uncontrollable abscess or perforation, urgent surgery. Obstruction of the colon, sometimes associated with ileus, may occur and in this case one may find a carcinoma among extensive diverticular disease. Although there is insufficient evidence to justify a high-fiber diet for the general population, the notion of a low-residue diet in the management of uncomplicated diverticular disease should be laid to rest.

Colonic Diseases, Functional↗

Irritable bowel syndrome and symptomatic diverticular disease--different diseases?

The influence of colonic diverticula on symptomatology and prognosis was investigated in 69 patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Roentgenograms at the time of diagnosis were blindly correlated to patient complaints and to result of follow-up 5 to 7 yr after the irritable bowel syndrome had been diagnosed. Patient complaints were not related to the presence or extent of diverticulosis. Half the patients had unchanged or aggravated symptoms at follow-up irrespective of diverticulosis. Accordingly, the presence of colonic diverticula did not change the natural history of the irritable bowel syndrome.

Adult↗

Spasmolytics.

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Colitis, Ulcerative↗

GI problems in the elderly, Part II: Prevalent diseases and disorders.

When ambulatory geriatric patients present with gastrointestinal (GI) complaints, a complete workup is necessary to determine whether the cause is a functional problem or organic disease. Some of the more common organic diseases found in the elderly GI patient include peptic ulcer disease, neoplasms, inflammatory bowel diseases, and diverticular disease. Special considerations that must be given the geriatric patient during workup, diagnosis, and treatment are discussed.

Age Factors↗