Background: Diverticular disease (DD) is a major health problem in the Western world. The aim of this study was to describe demographics and trends in acute DD admissions in New Zealand.
Methods: Information pertaining to acute hospital admissions between January 2000 and June 2012 for a primary diagnosis of large bowel DD was retrieved from a national database.
Results: There were 25,167 admissions for acute DD. Mean age of presentation decreased from 65.9 years in 2000 to 64.1 years in 2012 (P < 0.001). Mean age was lower in men than women (61.4 versus 67.4 years, P < 0.001). Although men comprised 45.2% of the cohort they were over-represented in the 18-44 years stratum (68.6 versus 31.4%; P < 0.001). Europeans accounted for 84.8% of admissions and presented at an older age (65.8 years) than Māori (56.2 years), Pacific Islanders (58.4 years) or Asians (58.9 years) (P < 0.001). Acute DD admissions were higher in more deprived populations (P < 0.001). Mean length of hospital stay (LOS) reduced from 5.8 days in 2000 to 4.1 days in 2012 (P < 0.001). LOS increased with age (P < 0.001) and deprivation (P = 0.013), but did not differ between ethnicities (P = 0.088). Computed tomography scanning of acute admissions doubled from 2000 to 2012 (29.7-59.2%; P < 0.001) with a halving in the use of acute in-patient colonoscopy (26.1-13.2%; P < 0.001) and emergent surgery (14.8-7.2%; P < 0.001). Percutaneous drain use increased from 0.6% in 2000 to 1.1% in 2012 (P = 0.003).
Conclusion: Acute DD is a source of considerable morbidity in New Zealand and there have been significant changes in its admission demographics and trends over the last decade.
Keywords: diverticular disease; trends.
© 2015 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.