Introduction: Previous studies on quality of life of patients with stoma in Poland included small groups of respondents and were based either on the non-validated questionnaires created ad hoc, or on the disease-specific oncologic questionnaires.
Objectives: To assess quality of life of Polish patients with a stoma using validated generic questionnaire.
Material and methods: Adult patients with colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy performed in Poland between July 2009 and March 2010 were included. Patients completed satisfaction survey at the discharge from the hospital, and The World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) generic questionnaire at 3 months after surgery.
Results: The study involved 737 patients (71%, 18%, 11% with colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy, respectively). The studied population was highly diversified in terms of: dependence on medical treatment, pain and discomfort, satisfaction with health and acceptance of physical appearance. 59% of patients with a stoma defined their quality of life as very good or good (mean 3.56 points; range: 1 to 5; SD 0.74). The subjects were characterized by low quality of life assessment in the physical health and psychological domains (52.9 and 60.1 pts.) and by high evaluation in the environment and social relationships domains (69.7 and 70.1 pts.). Respondents highly assessed: the level of social support, home environment, physical environment, personal relationships. Low assessment was related to: sexual activity, ability to work, dependence on medical treatment, financial resources, satisfaction with health.
Conclusions: Quality of life in patients with a stoma, assessed at three months after the surgery, is higher when compared to typical patients hospitalized in the internal medicine ward. Identified quality of life limitations relate in particular to sexual life.