The aim of the Ostomy Life Study was to get a better understanding of the challenges that people living with a stoma face in their everyday livee. With more than 4000 participants from 11 countries, the study provides a wealth of information covering all age groups, stoma types, stoma products and a variety of cultures. The result shows that the majority of ostomates have issues related to leakage and ballooning which, among other things, have a negative effect on sleep, or lead to unplanned appliance changes for approximately 40% of the respondents. Two-piece users are concerned specifically about coupling failure and the associated consequences. The results can be used to provide guidance in everyday stoma care and in development of new products.

Trygfonden, Lundbeckfonden, and the Danish National Research Foundation.

Background: Peristomal skin complications (PSCs) are frequently reported postoperative complications. PSCs can present visibly or as symptoms such as pain, itching or burning sensations. Aim: To develop a new tool that can capture a range of sensation symptoms together with visible complications and an objective assessment of discolouration in the peristomal area. Method: Consensus from qualitative interviews with health professionals and people with an ostomy, and input from expert panels, formed the basis of a patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaire. A decision tree model was used to define a combined score including PRO and objectively assessed discolouration area. Findings: Six elements were included in the PRO questionnaire and four health states representing different severity levels of the peristomal skin were defined. Conclusion: The Ostomy Skin Tool 2.0 is a sensitive tool that can be used to follow changes in the peristomal skin on a regular basis and thereby help prevent severe PSCs.

Peristomal skin complications (PSCs) are common and troublesome and the consequences are substantial both for the patient and from a health-economic viewpoint. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that early detection and treatment of PSCs, combined with the use of a correctly fitted and appropriate pouching system, can reduce treatment costs-in the UK, it is estimated to save £28.1m annually. A model for cost estimation of PSCs and a real-life global data set of people with stomas are used for the calculations. A high priority should be given to ensuring resources are available to provide education, guidance and assistance to people with a stoma. This would support increased awareness of the first signs of PSCs and enable self-management at an early stage.

The DialogueStudy, an open-label, non-comparative, multinational post-marketing study, was set up to document real-life experiences of users of a new ostomy appliance, SenSura, manufactured by Coloplast A/S, with a focus on quality of life (QoL) and peristomal skin conditions. The largest study of its kind, the DialogueStudy involved more than 500 stoma care nurses (SCNs) from 379 sites in 18 countries and a total of 3017 participants with a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy. During the study, participants completed two visits with an SCN and were given advice on maintaining healthy peristomal skin and provided with an appropriate ostomy appliance, SenSura. The primary endpoint was the difference in QoL between the first and second visit. Secondary endpoints included self-awareness of skin disorders, leakage and peristomal skin condition at the study start and then at the study end (6–8 weeks later). The mean QoL score increased significantly during the study (P<0.0001).