Prevalence, Colonoscopic Features, and Risk Factors of Colonic Diverticulosis in Vietnamese Adults Undergoing Colonoscopy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Colonic diverticulosis is common in gastrointestinal disease with a rising prevalence in Asia. Regional differences exist in prevalence, distribution, and risk factors of diverticulosis; however, data from Vietnam are still lacking. The purpose of our study was to ascertain the prevalence, colonoscopic features, and risk factors of colonic diverticulosis among Vietnamese adults undergoing colonoscopy. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed prospectively on patients undergoing colonoscopy at the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Department of the University Medical Center-Ho Chi Minh City. Metabolic syndrome was established on the Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify risk factors. Results: There were 480 participants, with a mean age of 53.2 ± 12.7 years. The male-to-female ratio was 0.8. The prevalence of diverticulosis was 29.6%. Right-sided diverticulosis was observed in 69% of cases. Multiple diverticula were present in 68.4% of cases. Multivariate analysis identified advanced age (OR = 2.38, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.41 – 4.05, p = 0.001), male sex (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.05 – 3.02, p = 0.033), central obesity (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.03 – 2.50, p = 0.037), metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.12 – 3.27, p = 0.021), and heavy alcohol consumption (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.03 – 4.84, p = 0.042) as independent risk factors of diverticulosis. Conclusions: Diverticulosis was prevalent in Vietnamese, with a right-sided predominance of the colon and multiple diverticula. Advanced age, male sex, central obesity, metabolic syndrome, and heavy alcohol consumption were risk factors.