Factors Relevant to Health Related Quality of Life and Sleep Disorders in patients with a urostomy

PurposeAlthough sleep is one of important factors relating to the quality of life of individuals, most of patients with a urostomy complain about sleep disruption due to it. The purpose of this study is to clarify factors relevant to Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and sleep disorders in patients with a urostomy in order to enable WOC nurses to support their better life.

MethodThe participants were 71 patients with a urostomy who visited a stoma outpatient clinic in Osaka, Japan. Data were gathered by interviewing. HRQOL was evaluated by WHOQOL (26 questions; score range 1-5). Higher scores indicate better health status. The sleep disorders were evaluated by PSQI-J (18 questions; score range 0-21). Lower scores indicate better health status. The original questionnaire included questions about sex, age, cancer diagnosis, time since surgery, type of urostomy, job status, visual disorder status, peristomal skin condition, and support person status, etc. 

ResultsThe majority of participants were men (60.6%) and average age was 69.9 years. The median time since surgery was 3.7 years. The average score of WHOQOL (2.7±0.6: average±standard deviation) was lower than one of the Japanese general population (3.3±0.3). The average score of PSQI-J (6.3±3.5) was higher than one of the Japanese general population (5.5). The scores of WHOQOL and PSQI-J showed significant difference between the young group (less than 65 years old) and the aged group. The scores by the sex, cancer diagnosis, time since surgery, type of urostomy, job status, visual disorder status, peristomal skin condition, and support person status showed no significant difference.

DiscussionThese results may provide WOC nurses with helpful hints for counseling people with a urostomy in order to improve their HRQOL and sleep status.