Colonic function in patients with diverticular disease.

Diverticular disease is thought to be associated with prolonged intestinal transit-time, a reduced stool weight, and increased intracolonic pressure. Sixty patients with diverticular disease did not regularly show these features. Variation in colonic function was considerable in these patients and was similar to that in the general population from which the patients were recruited. Constipation may be a complication of diverticular disease and not necessarily part of its aetiology.