Diagnosing Diverticular Disease

摘要

Nurse practitioners (NPs) should consider diverticular disease when evaluating patients over age 45. At least one third of adults have diverticular changes after age 45 and two thirds by 80, making this a common chronic health concern.1 Diverticular disease before age 40 occurs in 5% of the population and is associated with higher rates of complications and reoccurrence. During a routine office encounter, the NP can screen patients with the review of systems and focus questions on dietary, exercise, and other lifestyle habits.