Colon Diverticular Disease Seen at Nsambya Hospital

Background: Colonic diverticular disease (CDD) is a condition in which bulging pouches develop in the colon. CDD is currently a global public health problem that has resulted into increased number of hospitalizations in the developed countries. Similar picture is being noticed in developing countries. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of and factors associated with CDD among patients who were referred to St. Francis Nsambya hospital endoscopy unit for colonoscopy.

Method: This was a cross sectional study that utilized retrospective data collected from March 2015 to October 2020 and prospective data collected from November 2020 to March 2021. Records of adult patients who underwent colonoscopy examinations in the endoscopy unit of St. Francis hospital Nsambya (SFHN) were extracted and analyzed.

Results: Records of a sample of 230 patients who underwent colonoscopy in the study period were reviewed. The prevalence of colonic diverticular disease (CCD) was 17.4%. Males accounted for 124 (53.9%) of the study participants. Sixty-five (28.3%) of the patients were aged between 51-60 while 60 (26.0%) were aged 71 years and above. Rectal bleeding in 88 (38.3%) patients was the commonest indication for referral for colonoscopy.

Conclusion: The prevalence of CDD among patients referred for colonoscopy at SFHN endoscopy unit was 17.4%. The anatomical distribution of diverticular disease was mainly to the left side of the colon. The most common symptom for which colonoscopy was requested was rectal bleeding.

Recommendation: Early screening with colonoscopy might be beneficial in detecting CDD among patients with varying abdominal symptoms.