Living with stoma: Long-term effects on patients' quality of life

Constructing end stoma is a recognized surgical option for management of anatomical anomalies and bowel dysfunctions. Yet, the long term outcome of that creation is unknown

 The long term outcome after the first five years after construction of end stoma has not been examined in previous publications. This study is aimed at examining the long term implications of this creation

Members of the United Ostomy Association of America have been requested to complete online survey.

Seventy-eight respondents took part in this survey.  Out of the 33 ulcerative colitis patients, 25 identified their pre-operative abdominal pain as it was severe  (75.8%) and this pain completely disappeared after surgical resection in 18  who felt well in general and were able to enjoy life as they were before the conduction of the diseases as well (72%). At analyzing the responses to question (3): (How do you feel in general?), it was found that those in the group with a longer elapsed time after diagnosis were more likely to feel better (p = 0.042)   But those in the older age group (>50years) were more likely to feel worse (p0.024);  Patients in the older age group (> 50 years) tended to experience more pain after creation (p = 0.046 );  Patients with a longer elapsed time after diagnosis (>5 years) were more likely to say no at answering question (7): (Has your treatment changed the way you see yourself as a man/woman?) (p= 0.039   ); Patients in the group with a longer elapsed time after diagnosis were more likely to say (No) at answering question (8): (Has your treatment caused any change in your sexual functioning (sex life)?) (p= 0.007); patients in the group with a longer elapsed time after diagnosis were more likely to enjoy the things they used to before conducting the disease (p= 0.025) .