A cross sectional study of quality of life in patients with enterostomy

Abstract

Background: Enterostomy is one of the commonest surgeries performed in general surgical practise. It leads to considerable alteration in life style of patients after surgery in the form of physical, mental, social, spiritual, economic, educational, vocational, marital, sexual problems. We designed study to assess the extent of these affections on quality of life (QOL) and suggest measure to improve it.Methods: We conducted a cross sectional survey using validated City of Hope-quality of life-Ostomy questionnaire questionnaire which was administered to patients following up for routine stoma care in stoma clinic of our hospital. We included patients who have undergone stoma creation between 2 months to 1 year prior to taking the QOL questionnaire. Demographic data and data collected about four main domains of QOL namely, physical, psychological, social and spiritual was statistically analysed for significance, dependence and correlation.Results: Commonest stoma type in our study was temporary ileostomy done for perforative peritonitis. Presence of ostomy makes significant impact on patients clothing style, occupation and sexual activity and suffered depression. Majority of patients (82.5%) fell in fair to average when their scores of QOL were compared. All four domains of life correlated positively to each other.Conclusions: As all domains of life are related to each other intervention to improve any one of them will cause resultant improvement of all domains of QOL. We suggest holistic approach by pre and postoperative counselling, training by trained enterostomal therapists, psychiatrist, treating surgeons and economic and sexual rehabilitation.