Life Satisfaction and Self Perceived Disability Status in an Ostomy Population

INTRODUCTION: 

Factors associated with improved life satisfaction following ostomy surgery are of interest to WOC nurses.  This study identifies an association between self-perceived disability status and life satisfaction in ostomates who are up to 48 months post surgery.

METHODOLOGY:

The study uses a subset (n=1366) of the data from the Ostomy Comprehensive Health and Life Assessment survey (N=4097).  This ongoing survey contains 93 questions pertaining to health and life domains, including whether or not participants classify themselves as disabled. A cumulative life satisfaction index was calculated from six questions regarding satisfaction with each of the following: social life, life with spouse/partner, family life, leisure time, financial situation, and one overall contentment question. Scores range between 0 and 24.

RESULTS: 

Although 18.0% consider themselves disabled due to their stoma, most of this group remains positive, with 81.3% still exhibiting a neutral or positive life satisfaction score. In fact, ostomates overall exhibit a 92.8% neutral or positive life satisfaction score. However, those who reported that they consider themselves disabled due to their stoma had 5.2 times greater odds (95% CI 3.3; 8.1) of being classified as having a negative life satisfaction than those who reported otherwise.

DISCUSSION:

The data suggest that an ostomate’s self-perception of their own disability status is strongly associated with life satisfaction. Recognizing that oftentimes physicians underestimate patients’ perceptions of their quality of life¹, the above data provide additional information for WOCN nurses and health professionals for the purposes of medical decision making. Whenever appropriate, healthcare visits should emphasize that patients are not disabled by their stoma, thereby providing the patient with the optimal opportunity for an accelerated return to positive quality of life.