Seasonal Variations and Factors that Influence Diverticular Bleeding in the United States of America

Abstract

1. Introduction:

Seasonal variation in hospitalizations for diverticulitis has a sinusoidal pattern, with more admissions occurring during the summer months. However, little is known about seasonal, regional trends, and risk factors associated with hospital admissions regarding diverticular bleeding in the US.

 

1. Methods:

Patients that had admission or discharge diagnoses of diverticulitis with bleeding or diverticulosis with bleeding from January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2017, were identified in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project’s National Inpatient Sample. The proportion of diverticular bleeding admissions was determined for a particular admission month/season. Then, the potential effects of region, age, sex, race, and patient risk factors on seasonal admissions for diverticular bleeding were explored.

1. Results:

Of the 54,191 hospitalizations for diverticular bleeding, the peak season was spring with 25.5%, and the lowest season was summer with 24.2% (p = 0.0001). A significant seasonal pattern in comorbidities was also identified, with those with diabetes (p <.0001), hypertension (p < 0.0001), obesity (p = 0.0001), and those on anticoagulants (p = 0.016) all having more bleeding events in the spring. This was noted across US regions, sex, race, and age. The southern region had the most admissions for diverticular bleeding at 40.9% (p < 0.0001).

 

1. Conclusions:

A better understanding of these seasonal and regional trends may provide a mechanism to identify a potential trigger for diverticular bleeding events. This helps identify individuals at greatest risk for hospitalization, as well as prepare hospitals to allocate supplies appropriately during the seasons.