A cross-sectional survey of quality of life in colostomates: a report from Iran

Abstract

BackgroundConsidering the complications that colostomies may cause, patient self-assessments of their social, emotional, physical, sexual and functional conditions may help their surgeons to evaluate the impact of their interventions or use supplementary methods to maintain patient functional status or decrease its loss to the minimum level. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Quality of Life in Iranian patients with colostomies and to compare the age and gender differences among them.MethodThis cross-sectional study was conducted from 2009 to 2010 to evaluate the quality of life of 96 patients who had undergone surgery for rectal cancer and had permanent colostomies. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancers Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ)-C30 and the EORTC QLQ-CR38 were used to assess patient Quality of Life.ResultsThe mean scores for the functional subscales were as follows: Physical Function, 70.9 (±2.2); Role Function, 68.4 (±2.6); Emotional Function, 56.9 (±2.7); Cognitive Function, 68.7 (± 2.6); and Social Function, 64.2 (±3.3). The EORTC questionnaires showed significant differences between males and females. Males had better body image scores. Sexual Function and Sexual Enjoyment were impaired in both males and females, but males had significantly higher scores and better roles in Physical and Sexual Functions. More sexual enjoyment problems in older ages were observed in both males and females.ConclusionHaving a colostomy was associated with a high level of emotional and sexual function impairment. The differing challenges between males and females should encourage us to design sex-specific interventions that improve the quality of life in this group of patients.

The sexuality of a colostomized person as a major component of quality of life and nursing care

“…In this perspective, studies reveal that the profile of people with intestinal stoma presents a predominance of colorectal cancer. [2,5,[18][19][20] In this perspective, it becomes fundamental to health professionals, especially nurses, to be prepared to the increase of the occurrence of colorectal cancer, hence, the demand for a specialized and goal directed practices in nursing shall increase.…”

“…Besides that, they may have a decreased sense of hygiene during the intimate relationship, or either a feeling of filth and shame or fear of non-acceptance by their partner. [7,19] It is worth noting that although the sexual activity of the ostomized woman is difficult due to the surgery itself, it can also lead to dysuria, pain during sexual intercourse, urinary incontinence, and reduction or loss of libido. [3,7,26] In addition, it interferes in the emotional aspects, such as concern about the partner's acceptance and satisfaction and generates a diminished sense of hygiene.…”

Distúrbio na imagem corporal: diagnóstico de enfermagem e características definidoras em pessoas ostomizadas

“…Nesse sentido, as alterações na imagem corporal causadas pela estomia, como o desconforto com a aparência física, a falta de controle sobre o barulho ocasionado pelos movimentos intestinais e a eliminação dos gases, os vazamentos de conteúdo fecal, a rejeição e a vergonha da nova imagem culminam em isolamento social, alterações na sexualidade e mudanças no estilo de vida (11).…”

“…A variável "imagem corporal" é abordada em diversos estudos que tratam da qualidade de vida das pessoas estomizadas, a fim de avaliar o impacto desse aspecto na adaptação a essa nova conformação física e fisiológica (11,12).…”

Survival of Rectal Cancer in Yazd, Iran

“…Rectal cancer not only potentially affects survival of patients but also deeply decreases the quality of life of patients. Permanent colostomy is a disaster for Iranian Muslim men and women, and impairs their emotional and sexual functions especially in women (Mahjoubi et al, 2012). Although we had some demographic information on colorectal cancer in our province (Salari et al, 2008) our knowledge about treatment quality and survival rate was very limited .We decided to evaluate survival rate of rectal cancer patients and the prognostic factors affecting survival of these patients.…”