Cases of serious colon disorder are rising sharply among Americans under age 50, researchers say.
An analysis of more than 5.2 million hospital stays for diverticulitis between 2005 and 2020 found that the share of younger patients with complicated disease rose from 18.5% to 28.2%.
These younger patients faced higher treatment risks: they had 29% higher odds of surgery to remove part of the colon and 58% higher odds of needing catheter drainage of infected fluid compared to older patients.
Diverticulitis happens when pouches form in the colon wall and become inflamed. While it’s usually seen in older adults, this study suggests a shift toward younger patients.
Despite these rises, treatment trends improved: among younger patients, the proportion needing colon removal fell from 34.7% to 20.3% during the study period.
Researchers don’t yet know exactly what’s driving the trend. They point to lifestyle, diet, obesity and perhaps changes in gut health as possible factors.
These findings mirror growing concern about serious colon and bowel diseases appearing earlier in life. Experts say younger adults and their doctors should be alert to symptoms—such as abdominal pain, bleeding or changes in bowel habits—rather than assuming the condition only affects older people.
