Pathogenesis of Diverticulosis and Diverticular Disease

Abstract

In this session different problems regarding the pathogenesis of diverticular disease were considered, including "Genetics", "Neuromuscular function abnormalities", "Patterns of mucosa inflammation", and "Impact of lifestyle". The patients affected by diverticular disease have clear genetic pattern, that might predispose to the occurrence of the disease as well as to its complications. Neuromuscular abnormalities may be recognized already at the stage of diverticulosis, and inflammation may explain symptoms occurrence in symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) or symptoms persistence after an episode of acute diverticulitis. Finally, lifestyle might also have an impact on symptoms' occurrence. Specifically smoking, but also obesity seem to play an important role, while the role of low-fiber diet and constipation is now under debate.