Alpha‐1‐antitrypsin deficiency (carrier) as possible risk factor for development of colonic diverticula. A multicentre prospective case–control study: the ALADDIN study

Connective tissue changes due to ageing or diseases leading to changes in the colonic wall are one theory for the development of diverticula. Alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT), a protease inhibitor that protects connective tissue, possibly plays a role in the aetiology of diverticulosis. The aim of this study was to explore associations between the development of diverticula and A1AT deficiency.This was a multicentre prospective case-control study. A...