Developer site: The content shown here is test data.

MyEClinic
MyEClinic
Health Dictionary AI Health Chat Find an Online Doctor
A serene Zen garden with raked sand and smooth stones, symbolising clarity and calm

Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

Back to skin conditions

Diverticulitis classification

Introduction

Overview

Overview

Diverticular diseases may be classified based on the presenting signs and symptoms according to the German guidelines that were published by the German Society of Gastroenterology (DGVS) and of Visceral Surgery (DGAV) in 2014. This aggreed upon classification system (Classification of Diverticular Disease (CDD), takes signs and symptoms, natural history (symptomatic, asymptomatic, complicated, uncomplicated, acute, recurrent), surgical aspects (purulent vs. fecal peritonitis), and clinically relevant diagnostic tests into account. As a result, this classification comprises the entire spectrum of diverticular disease. While the CDD system remains in use in some European centers, current U.S. guidance, including the 2025 JAMA review, primarily classifies diverticulitis as uncomplicated or complicated, with severity stratified using the modified Hinchey classification.[1]

Classification

Classification

The following table describes the classification of diverticular disease according to the German guidelines (in 2014) by the German Societies of Gastroenterology (DGVS) and of Visceral Surgery (DGAV).[2]

Type Subtype Description Features
Type 0

(Asymptomatic diverticulosis)

Type 0 None
  • Incidental finding
Type 1

(Acute uncomplicated diverticulitis)

Type 1a Diverticulitis without peridiverticulitis
  • Typical cross-sectional imaging
Type 1b Diverticulitis with phlegmonous peridiverticulitis
  • Signs of inflammation on laboratory tests
  • Cross-sectional imaging demonstrates phlegmonous diverticulitis
Type 2

(Acute complicated diverticulitis)

Type 2a Microabscess
Type 2b Macro-abscess
Type 2c Free perforation
Type 2c1 Purulent peritonitis
Type 2c2 Fecal peritonitis
Type 3

Chronic diverticular disease (relapsing or persistent)

Type 3a Symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD)
  • Localized symptoms
  • Laboratory test (calprotectin)
Type 3b Relapsing diverticulitis without complications
Type 3c Relapsing diverticulitis with complications
Type 4

(Diverticular bleeding)

Type 4 Diverticular bleeding
  • Diverticula identified as the source of bleeding
References

References

  1. ↑ Peery AF, Wilson GC, Crockett SD. Diverticulitis: A Review. JAMA. 2025;333(2):158-168. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.23427.
  2. ↑ Lembcke, Bernhard (2015). “Diagnosis, Differential Diagnoses, and Classification of Diverticular Disease”. Viszeralmedizin. 31 (2): 95–102. doi:10.1159/000380833. ISSN 1662-6664.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Omodamola Aje B.Sc, M.D. [2] James Nasr[3]