The changing pattern of hospital admissions for divertical disease of the colon.

Hospital admissions for symptomatic diverticular disease of the colon were studied during two periods, 1958-61 and 1968-71, in a relatively closed community in north-east Scotland. There was a significant increase in the numbers admitted, from 206 to 366. In the earlier 4-year period among patients aged 70 years and over there was a preponderance of females, but in the later study period the risk of developing symptomatic disease was almost as great among elderly males. Most of the elderly female patients were widowed city dwellers. The proportion of patients requiring operation for or dying from diverticular disease declined, but perforation remained as a frequent complication carrying a high mortality.