Diverticular disease in elderly

The prevalence of diverticular disease (DD) increases with age, being reported in less than 5% of patients younger than 40 years and in 65-70% of patients older than 80 years. Diverticula represents the most frequent finding at colonoscopy. The pathogenesis of divericula is multifactorial, depending on diet and structural alterations of the colonic wall. Up to 75% of patients remain completely asymptomatic throughout their life while the remaining 25% of patients develops diverticular disease (DD) which includes symptomatic uncomplicated DD (20%) and diverticulitis (5%). The latter may be further complicated by perforation and bleeding (1-2% of the cases). In spite of the large amount of literature data, many unmet needs regarding risk factors, comorbidities, timing of surgery, neoplastic risk, and quality of life, still affect the management of patients with DD.