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The purpose of this study is to review epidemiological and clinical characteristics of diverticular disease of the colan in Korea and to discuss the difference of the findings from those in other countries. Reviewing all thebarium enema films taken at the Seoul National University Hospital retrospectively for the last 8 years. that is, from January 1, 1980 to December 31, 1987, we observed the annual and overall incidence of the disease, the number and location of the diverticula, and the presenting symptoms of the cases. The results are summarized as follows: 1) Out of the patients examined, 237 cases had one or more diverticula in the colon, the overall incidence being 1.32%, 2) The annual incidence increased progressively for the last 8 years, from 0.25% in 1980 to 2.53% in 1987. 3) The mean age of the patients at the time of diagnosis was 51 years. The male to female ratio was 2.5. 4) The diverticula were located on the right side in 81.0% of the cases, on the left side in 10.6%, and on both sides in 8.4%. 5) In 82 cases (34.6%) single diverticulum was found, whereas 34 cases (14.3%) had more than 10 diverticula. 6) The most frequent symptoms for taking barium enema were abdominal discomfort and pain (34. 2%) and changes in bowel habits (33.8%}, whereas 45 casea (19.0%) had the examination just for a routine health check. In conclusiion, the diverticular disease of the colon is still uncommon in Korea as compared with in western countries, and the right colon type is far more freqtaent than the left colon type. However in recent years the incidence increases quite rapidly and the left colon type is getting more common.
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