Statistics

• A diverticulum is when the inner lining of the large bowel (colon) is pushed out through weak spots in the muscle causing a pouch or sac. Diverticulosis is the presence of diverticula (plural), saclike protrusions of the wall of the large bowel.
• While most patients with diverticulosis are asymptomatic, about 25% will develop symptoms, and about 5% will develop an episode of acute diverticulitis (inflammation of diverticula). (Strate et al. 2015; Tursi 2012)
• It is estimated that over 130,000 Canadians have diverticular disease. (Canadian Digestive Health Foundation 2009)
• The prevalence of diverticular disease increases markedly with age. Among Canadians over age 80, about half develop the disease. (Canadian Digestive Health Foundation 2009)
• Every year, more than 400 Canadians die due to complications associated with diverticular disease. (Canadian Digestive Health Foundation 2009)
• Each year 3,309 Canadians require life-saving surgical intervention to treat their diverticular disease. (Canadian Digestive Health Foundation 2009)
• Diverticular disease incurs direct costs of $88.6 million per year in Canada. (Canadian Digestive Health Foundation 2009)

_Citations:

_{Canadian Digestive Health Foundation. 2009. Establishing digestive health as a priority for Canadians. The Canadian Digestive Health Foundation – National Digestive Disorders Prevalence & Impact Study Report.}

_{Strate LL et al. American Gastroenterological Association Institute Technical review on the management of acute diverticulitis. Gastroenterology. 2015 Dec;149(7):1950-76.}

_{Tursi A. Advances in the management of colonic diverticulitis. CMAJ. 2012 Sep 18;184(13):1470-6.}