From the Guidelines
The prevalence of diverticulitis in a 39-year-old male is likely to be low, around 10% or less, as diverticulitis is most common in older adults, with the incidence increasing with age [ 1 ].
Key Points
- The incidence of diverticulitis in the U.S. is 180/100,000 persons per year [ 1 ].
- The lifetime prevalence of diverticular disease increases from 10% among patients under 50 years old to 33% among patients between 60 and 69 years old [ 1 ].
- Recent evidence suggests that the lifetime risk of developing acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis (ALCD) is about 4% among patients with diverticulosis [ 1 ].
- Up to one fifth of patients with acute diverticulitis are under 50 years of age [ 1 ].
Age-Related Factors
- The clinical presentation of diverticulitis is more nuanced in the elderly population, with higher in-hospital and postoperative mortality [ 1 ].
- Geriatric comorbidities are a risk factor for complicated diverticulitis [ 1 ].
- Elderly patients have a lower risk of recurrent episodes and, in case of recurrence, a lower probability of requiring urgent surgery than younger patients [ 1 ].
From the Research
Prevalence of Diverticulitis in Young Adults
- The prevalence of diverticulitis in young adults, particularly those under 40, is relatively low compared to older adults 2, 3.
- A study published in 2015 found that the incidence of diverticulitis increased with age, but the temporal increase was greater in younger people 4.
- Another study published in 2024 found that the incidence of diverticulitis in patients under 40 has increased in recent decades, likely due to the rise of obesity and lifestyle modification in this population 5.
Diverticulitis in a 39-Year-Old Male
- Based on the available evidence, it can be inferred that a 39-year-old male is still considered young for diverticulitis, and the prevalence of the disease in this age group is relatively low 2, 3.
- However, the incidence of diverticulitis in younger adults has been increasing, and certain factors such as obesity and lifestyle modification may contribute to the development of the disease in this population 5, 4.
- A study published in 2015 found that younger patients with diverticulitis tend to have less severe disease, more recurrence, and better survival rates compared to older patients 4.
Risk Factors and Complications
- Obesity, Hispanic ethnicity, and lifestyle factors may be associated with an increased risk of diverticulitis in younger adults 2, 5.
- Complications of diverticulitis, such as abscesses or strictures, may be less common in younger patients, and surgical intervention may not always be necessary 5.
- However, predictive factors for severe diverticulitis, such as old age, immunodeficiency, and comorbidity, may still apply to younger patients with certain underlying conditions 3.