EP707 - Standardization of International Diverticular Disease Definitions

Sunday, May 10, 2026

4:33 PM - 4:38 PM ET

ePoster Presenter(s)

Adam L. Fahey, BS

Medical Student
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Nashville, TN, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.

Author(s)

ZK

Zarnigar Khan, MRCS, MBChB, PG Cert, MSc, BSc

Surgical doctor
University of Liverpool
Liverpool, England, United Kingdom

Disclosure information not submitted.
SL

Samuel Lawday, BMBS MMedSc MByRes FHEA

Doctoral Research Fellow
University of Bristol
Bristol, England, United Kingdom

Disclosure information not submitted.
ML

Matthew Lee, MBChB PhD FRCS

BHP Clinician Scientist & Consultant Colorectal Surgeon
University of Birmingham & University Hospitals Birmingham

Disclosure information not submitted.
DV

Dale Vimalachandran, MD FRCS

Reader in colorectal surgery
University of liverpool
Tarporley, Virgin Islands, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.

Senior Author(s)

Alexander T. Hawkins, MD, MPH

Associate Professor
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN, United States

All of the relevant financial relationships listed below have been mitigated.
This individual has no financial relationships with ineligible companies.

All of the relevant financial relationships listed below have been mitigated.

Alexander T. Hawkins, MD, MPH: This individual has no financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Purpose/Background: Background: Diverticulitis is a heterogenous disease entity that encompasses diverticulosis and its various complications. Despite increasing prevalence of diverticular disease globally, there remains a lack of agreement in the definitions of diverticular disease. This study obtained generalized consensus on definitions for the disease processes within diverticular disease from medical experts worldwide.

Methods/Interventions:

Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey. Initial definitions were developed by the research team through a comprehensive search of PubMed studies. Definitions were further refined through extensive beta testing resulting in preliminary definitions for the survey. In total, nine diverticular disease terms were placed into the survey (Table 1). The survey was distributed to various global experts via snowball methodology to achieve consensus. Participants were given the option to provide feedback via free text on a definition if they disagreed with it. Based on prior definition consensus studies, an 80% agreement threshold was used to reach consensus for each definition. Demographic data was also collected from respondents at the end of the survey.

Results/Outcomes:

Results: Two hundred and seven responses were received following survey distribution. Based on the results of the definition surveys, each proposed definition met consensus agreement (Table 1). The average years of practice among respondents was 12 years. Most identified as surgical physicians (n=178, 87.3%), with 23 (11.3%) identifying as medical physicians and 3 (1.5%) identifying as other allied health professionals. The most represented countries amongst respondents were the United States (n=100, 49.0%), the United Kingdom (n=65, 31.9%), and Canada (n=13, 6.4%).

Conclusion/Discussion:

Discussion: The results of this survey revealed consensus from various healthcare providers across the world, indicating significant agreement. Some definitions had higher consensus agreement than others, revealing a potential need to investigate the nuances of certain definitions further. These standardizations of common diverticulitis terms will enhance both clinical care and research.