Diverticulosis is typically asymptomatic. Which statement best reflects its common presentation?

• A. It Presents With Fever And LLQ Pain In Most Cases
• B. It Is Usually Asymptomatic
• C. It Commonly Causes Bloody Diarrhea
• D. It Typically Causes Weight Loss

Answer: (B)

Diverticulosis most often causes no symptoms. It’s the presence of diverticula in the colon, usually discovered incidentally on imaging or colonoscopy. If symptoms do occur, they point to a complication, such as diverticulitis (inflammation with fever and left lower quadrant pain) or sometimes painless rectal bleeding from diverticular vessels. So the statement that best reflects its common presentation is that it is usually asymptomatic. The other ideas describe diverticulitis (fever and LLQ pain) or less typical features (bloody diarrhea, weight loss) that aren’t characteristic of uncomplicated diverticulosis.