# Risk factors for asymptomatic diverticulosis

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2021 · $542,022

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Colonic diverticulosis is a common condition in the United States. Diverticulosis can be complicated by acute
inflammation, infection, hemorrhage, collectively termed diverticular disease. The burden of diverticular
disease is estimated at $4 billion dollars annually. The first phase of this study collected detailed information
about diverticula on more than 600 individuals who underwent screening colonoscopy. The results have
challenged conventional wisdom. Contrary to expectation, there was no protective association with increased
fiber, physical activity or regular bowel movements. There was no evidence of chronic inflammation in the
colons of individuals with diverticulosis. There was a different colonic distribution of diverticula by race, with
more right-sided diverticula for blacks. Compelling evidence from others indicates that genetic factors may be
responsible for approximately half of the risk for diverticular disease, but there have been no association
studies in large numbers of patients. The proposed research builds on the infrastructure and information
already assembled to address four specific aims: 1) To perform a genome-wide association study on archived
DNA from 624 well-characterized patients to identify possible genetic determinants of diverticulosis. 2) To
assess differential gene expression associated with diverticulosis. 3) To perform a targeted association study
using candidates identified from GWAS and differential gene expression on archived DNA to confirm genetic
determinants of diverticulosis using stored DNA from a second population of 1824 colonoscopy patients. 4) To
follow-up individuals in the diverticulosis cohort to determine whether the presence of diverticulosis is
associated with the development of chronic gastrointestinal symptoms. The laboratory-based aims will be
accomplished using specimens that have already been collected. Previously described GWAS methods will
identify genetic variants that may contribute to diverticulosis. RNAseq will comprehensively compare the
transcriptomes of diverticulosis cases compared to controls. Follow-up interviews on previously enrolled
subjects will evaluate symptom development. The study is innovative because it will be the first large
prospective cohort that has used a structural exam (colonoscopy) to accurately classify diverticulosis cases.
Similarly, there are no large genetic studies based on structural exams. Successful completion of this study
could open new avenues for research and patient care.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10133057
- **Project number:** 5R01DK094738-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Temitope O. Keku
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $542,022
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-04-01 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10133057

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10133057, Risk factors for asymptomatic diverticulosis (5R01DK094738-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10133057. Licensed CC0.

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