Diverticulosis of the colon in Israel

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Abstract
Israel, with its heterogeneous population composed of many ethnic groups originating from various contries with different customs, dietary habits and ways of life, afforded opportunity for an epidemiologic study of the incidence of colonic diverticula. Ba-enema studies [1377] over the years 1969-1974 were retrospectively reviewed. The variation in the incidences of diverticulosis among various population groups is marked. The condition seems to be particularly rare in underdeveloped countries. Diverticulosis has been increasing during the last 60 yr in the westernized developed countries, however. In the USA diverticulosis seems to be on the increase. The incidences of colonic diverticula vary widely from one country to another. There is also a definite ethnic variation, the condition being rare in underdeveloped regions and virtually unknown as a cause of inflammatory disease. The main protective factor in the low-incidence group may be a high-residue diet, although genetic differences and lack of the stress so characteristic of the westernized style of living may play roles.