Which patient groups have a greater incidence of sigmoid volvulus?
Patients with elongated, dilated sigmoid colons are predisposed to sigmoid volvulus. Sigmoid volvulus is common in parts of the world (e.g., Africa) where people have high-fiber diets, bulky stools, and large colons. In the United States, sigmoid volvulus is common in patients who are either bedridden or taking medications that cause colonic hypomotility; patients in nursing homes and mental institutions are at the most risk for sigmoid volvulus.