Diverticular disease of the colon and gallstones in New Zealand and England.

The clinical presentation and subsequent treatment of 160 consecutive patients with proven diverticular disease of the colon from the Auckland Hospital, New Zealand were compared with 182 consecutive patients admitted to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London. There were significant differences in sex incidence, in the ages of the male patients at presentation, patient symptoms, extent of disease and methods of surgical treatment. These probably reflect differences in the types of National Health Services of the two countries, rather than differences in the natural history of diverticular disease of the colon. Overall, the 342 patients studied show a very good correlation with other large series published over the last 10 years. This study confirms the previously reported association between diverticular disease of the colon and gallstones. It confirms that gallstones are more common in female patients with or without diverticular disease. It suggests that Auckland patients with gallstones are more likely to have had a cholecystectomy than London patients. The possible role of dietary fiber in the aetiology of both gallstones and diverticular disease of the colon is discussed.