[Etiopathogenesis of colonic diverticular disease; role of dietary fiber and therapeutic perspectives]

Abstract

The authors review the literature about the aetiopathogenesis, the epidemiology and the treatment of uncomplicated diverticular disease of the colon. The influence of dietary fibre deficiency explaining the increasing prevalence in industrialized countries and the variable geographical distribution are explained, as well as the effects of dietary fibres on colonic functions. Progressive elastosis of the taeniae may explain the influence of age on the incidence of diverticulosis. The rationale for the introduction of dietary fibre into the treatment is based on the observation that a high fibre diet such as coarse bran is lowering the colonic pressure and therefore may prevent the development of new diverticula and complications, although an effect on symptoms is not always obtained.