Visceral fat: A key factor in diverticular disease of the colon

Background and aim: Diverticular disease of the colon is a common disease, representing na important health problem in Western countries. The authors aimed to study the visceral fat and parameters of obesity in the diverticular disease of the colon. Methods: Case-control study of unselected medium-risk subjects who underwent colonoscopy for screening of colorectal cancer during 1 year. Subjects were inquired by a nutritionist about nutritional habits. Anthropometric variables were evaluated. Visceral and subcutaneous fat were assessed by ultrasound by the same gastroenterologist. Statistics: x², t test, logistic multivariate regression, odds ratio (OR). Results: Included 303 individuals, 46.9% female, mean age 60±6.6 years. Sixty-four (21%) individual had diverticular disease of the colon. People with diverticula were signifi cantly older (P=0.01), had more visceral fat (P < 0.01), waist circumference (P=0.01) and total fat consumption (P=0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed age and visceral fat as independent risk factors for diverticular disease of the colon. The probability of occurrence of disease was 3-times higher in individuals in the 3rd tertile of age (older than 63 years old) than those younger than 56 years old (1st tertile of age) - OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.5-6.5. For visceral fat, those individuals in the 3rd tertile had a two-fold risk of having diverticular disease of the colon (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.02-5.2) than those in 1st tertile. There was no significant difference for sex, body mass index, subcutaneous fat or fiber intake. Conclusion: Older age and higher visceral fat were independent risk factors for the occurrence of diverticular disease of the colon

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Afonso,Miguel, Pinto,Joana, Veloso,Ricardo, Freitas,Teresa, Carvalho,João, Fraga,José
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Sociedade Portuguesa de Gastrenterologia 2012
Online Access:	http://scielo.pt/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0872-81782012000200003
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