Factors Associated With Quality of Life Among People Living With a Stoma in Nonmetropolitan Areas

Abstract

Background Interruption of gastrointestinal continuity through surgical formation of a stoma can be lifesaving. However, it is also typically associated with reduced quality of life (QoL). Although past research has investigated QoL among people living with a stoma, no known studies have investigated stoma-related QoL, specifically among nonmetropolitan residents who may experience distinct health issues compared with their metropolitan counterparts. Objectives The aim of the study was to investigate the level of and factors associated with QoL among people living with a stoma in nonmetropolitan Australia. Methods In a cross-sectional survey, 678 adults with colostomy, ileostomy, and/or urostomy and with membership in a regional Victorian stoma association were given the City of Hope Quality of Life Questionnaire for a Patient With an Ostomy (QOL-O). Total QoL score was calculated and described before categorization into quintiles. Patient factors associated with quintiles of QoL were assessed using univariable and multivariable proportional odds ordinal logistic regression, with a 95% confidence interval excluding 1.00 denoting statistical significance. Results Overall, 311 regional ostomy association members (46%) responded to any QOL-O questions; 285 members responded to >80% of QOL-O questions and contributed data to the study. Their median age was 73 years, and 60% were male. The median total QoL score was 6.9 on a scale of 0–10, where a higher number indicates better QoL. Factors independently associated with better QoL in the multivariable model were working full/part time, no poststoma clothing change, poststoma sexual activity, and older age. Factors independently associated with worse QoL were poststoma depression and a stoma location issue. Discussion People living with a stoma in nonmetropolitan Australia reported moderate-to-high QoL. Better QoL was identified in those who worked, had no poststoma clothing change, were sexually active poststoma, and were older. Worse QoL was seen in those who had poststoma depression and stoma location issues. Healthcare providers could influence stoma-related QoL by identifying risk factors and tailoring interventions toward individuals in nonmetropolitan settings.

Ostomy‐related problems and their impact on quality of life of Saudi ostomate patients: A mixed‐methods study

“…The overall score of QOL described by this sample of individuals living with an ostomy in Saudi Arabia was moderate. This finding is comparable with the score of ostomies related QOL indicated in studies were internationally conducted (Anaraki et al, 2012; Ketterer et al, 2021; Konjevoda et al, 2020; Zhang et al, 2019). The total QOL among our participants was obviously higher when compared with a Iranian‐based study that used valid translated COH‐QOL‐OQ version to assess people with ostomy (7.48 vs. 7.57) (Anaraki et al, 2012) higher when compared with a Brazilian based research study that used valid translated COH‐QOL‐OQ to determine the quality of life among patients with either permanent or temporary ostomies (6.10 vs. 7.57) (Santos et al, 2016) and higher when compared with a Chinese‐based study that used a valid translated COH‐QOL‐OQ to examine the quality of life among people with an ostomy (5.19 vs. 7.57) (Geng et al, 2017).…”

“…The findings also have been reported previously by people who change or retired from their occupation after ostomy surgery (Dabirian et al, 2011). Previous study has shown occupation stability can sustain positive relationships and self‐worth among people with an ostomy, while those who are unable to continue habits of their usual work note significant worse life satisfaction level (Ketterer et al, 2021). The economic hardship was not measured in this study as the items which is measure the financial difficulties in COH‐QOL‐OQ was removed from Arabic version (Alenezi et al, 2022).…”

Quality of Life Assessment in Intestinal Stoma Patients in the Saudi Population: A Cross- sectional Study

“…The overall QoL score in our study population was 6, which was lower than what other countries have reported. For example, in Brazil, it was 6.2, Australia 6.9, Netherlands 7.1, India 7.5, and United States 7.3 [3,10,16]. None of our patients scored 10/10, which would have indicated unimpaired QoL.…”

“…The questionnaire that we used measured various aspects of QoL as speci ed by WHO [9,10]. We modi ed its original version to meet the objectives of our study and facilitate the patients to respond clearly and straightforwardly-taking minimum time, and simplifyign the scoring.…”

Labor Market Attachment 2 Years After Colorectal Cancer Surgery

“…Younger patients may be more affected by a stoma than older patients in many ways, and having a stoma can be challenging in the process of returning to work, both physically, mentally, and socially. 45,47 Among patients with a permanent colostomy, we found that those undergoing a Hartmann's procedure had a lower employment probability compared with the APR patients. This is probably due to the fact that in Denmark, a Hartmann's procedure is primarily chosen in more fragile patients with a higher number of comorbidities, which is clearly reflected in the much higher mortality rate in the Hartmann's group compared with the APR group (27.3% vs. 7.9%, Table 4).…”