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MedPharmRes
University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City

MedPharmRes

eISSN: 2615-9139

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32895/MPR.25.00039

Article

Prevalence, Colonoscopic Features, and Risk Factors of Colonic Diverticulosis in Vietnamese Adults Undergoing Colonoscopy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Uyen Pham-Phuong Vo1,2, Nhu Thi-Hanh Vu1,2,*, Quang Dinh Le1,2, Doan Thi-Nha Nguyen1,2, Mai Ngoc Luu1,2, Nhung Thi-Hong Ngo2, Duc Trong Quach1,2
1Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
2GI Endoscopy Department, University Medical Center, Vietnam
*Corresponding author: Nhu Thi-Hanh Vu. E-mail: vuhanhnhu@ump.edu.vn

© Copyright 2025 MedPharmRes. This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Published Online: Sep 04, 2025

Abstract

Background: Colonic diverticulosis is common in gastrointestinal disease with a rising prevalence in Asia. Regional differences exist in prevalence, distribution, and risk factors of diverticulosis; however, data from Vietnam are still lacking. The purpose of our study was to ascertain the prevalence, colonoscopic features, and risk factors of colonic diverticulosis among Vietnamese adults undergoing colonoscopy.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed prospectively on patients undergoing colonoscopy at the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Department of the University Medical Center-Ho Chi Minh City. Metabolic syndrome was established on the Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify risk factors.

Results: There were 480 participants, with a mean age of 53.2 ± 12.7 years. The male-to-female ratio was 0.8. The prevalence of diverticulosis was 29.6%. Right-sided diverticulosis was observed in 69% of cases. Multiple diverticula were present in 68.4% of cases. Multivariate analysis identified advanced age (OR = 2.38, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.41 – 4.05, p = 0.001), male sex (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.05 – 3.02, p = 0.033), central obesity (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.03 – 2.50, p = 0.037), metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.12 – 3.27, p = 0.021), and heavy alcohol consumption (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.03 – 4.84, p = 0.042) as independent risk factors of diverticulosis.

Conclusions: Diverticulosis was prevalent in Vietnamese, with a right-sided predominance of the colon and multiple diverticula. Advanced age, male sex, central obesity, metabolic syndrome, and heavy alcohol consumption were risk factors.

Keywords: diverticulosis; risk factor; endoscopic characteristics; Vietnam