Quality of life outcomes in patients living with stoma

Abstract

Background:Despite efforts to maintain the intestinal tissue and treat gastrointestinal disease, a large number of patients undergo ostomy surgery each year. Using stoma reduces the patient's quality of life (QOL) greatly. Although there are approximately 3000 patients in Iran; there is little information about the impact of stoma on their QOL.Aims:The study aims to evaluate QOL of stoma patients using a special measurement tool.Settings and Design:This survey was a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 102 random samples of stoma patients.Materials and Methods:The City of Hope Quality of Life-Ostomy Questionnaire was used for collecting demographic and clinical information and evaluating QOL.Statistical Analysis Used:Univariate and multiple regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of QOL.Results:The mean score for the overall QOL for stoma patients was 7.48 ± 0.9. 70% of patients were dissatisfied with sexual activities. More than half of them reported feelings of depression following stoma surgery. Univariate analysis indicated that factors such as the type of ostomy (temporary/permanent), the underlying disease that had led to the stoma, depression, problem with location of ostomy, and change in clothing style had significant effects on overall QOL and its subscales (P < 0.05). The results of the regression analyses showed that only depression and problem with the location of ostomy were statistically significant in predicting patients’ QOL and its subscales (P < 0.05).Conclusions:The findings demonstrated that living with stoma influences the overall aspect of QOL. Education for the patients and their families is important for improving the stoma patients’ QOL. Sexual and psychological consultation may also improve patients’ QOL.

Quality of Life and Characteristics of Colostomy Patients

“…In our study, the environmental dimension was the highest mean score chosen by the respondents, followed by physical health, psychological, and social. Our findings are consistent with previous studies that found that the stoma patients had more difficulty participating in social activities (Dabirian et al, 2010;Anaraki et al, 2012). Swan (2011) and McMullen et al (2008) pointed out that the colostomy application might have a negative impact on the patients' quality of life with regards to both social and family relationships, travelling, physical activity, sexual function and finances.…”

“…Satisfaction with their sexual relationship was chosen as the lowest item in relation to quality of life by most respondents. The findings of the study are consistent with previous studies that reported that stoma patients experienced a loss in their sexual activity after stoma surgery (Gemmill et al, 2010;Anaraki et al, 2012). This condition has resulted in low self-confidence of the respondents in performing sexual activities.…”

“…The meaning of quality of life was constructed from a transactional process between an individual with an environment that is influenced by personal background, health, social situation, culture, and age. Anaraki et al, (2012) argued that the underlying disease of the stoma, the type of ostomy (temporary/permanent), location of ostomy, depression, and changes in life style had a significant effect on overall quality of life. The majority of the respondents rated their general health at a level of very unsatisfied to moderately satisfied.…”

“…This included types of personality, specific ego defence mechanisms, spirituality influenced healthrelated quality of life among colorectal cancer patients (Baldwin, C.M., Grant, M., Wendel, C., Rawl, S., Schmidt, Ko and Krouse, 2008;Sales et al, 2014). In addition, the type of ostomy (temporary/permanent), the underlying disease, depression, problem with the location of the ostomy, and changes in clothing style had significant effects on the quality of life of stoma patients (Anaraki et al, 2012). Difficulties with sleep, problems with body image and depression have also been reported in association with quality of life (Grant et al, 2011).…”

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“…Therefore, health care professional must be knowledgeable to cater the patients physical and psychological educational needs (Anaraki et al, 2012). Previous literature also indicated that nurses can play significant role in physical, psychological, economical, social and many other aspects of care in colostomy patients provided they are adequately updated through in-service education related to colostomy care (Sinha, Goyal, Singh, & Rana, 2009).…”