QUALITY OF LIFE ASSESSMENT IN PATIENTS WITH INTESTINAL STOMA
Main Article Content
Keywords
intestinal stoma; quality of life; colostomy; ileostomy; Stoma-QOL; peristomal complications
Abstract
Background: Intestinal stoma formation is an essential surgical intervention in colorectal malignancy, inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal perforation, trauma, and bowel obstruction. While stoma can often save one’s life, living with a stoma can take a toll on physical comfort, self-image, social participation, sleep, sexual confidence, and day-to-day independence. The present study assessed quality of life in patients with intestinal stoma and identified factors associated with poorer outcomes.
Methods: The present study involves a cross-sectional observational study in 128 adults with ileostomy or colostomy at a tertiary-care surgical follow-up and stoma care clinic from January 2024 to December 2025. Quality of life was assessed with the validated Stoma-QOL questionnaire. A demographic profile, clinical characteristics, indication for stoma formation, type and duration of stoma, stoma permanence, self-care and complications of stoma were included. Mean quality-of-life scores were compared using independent-samples t test and one-way ANOVA. A multivariable linear regression model was applied to identify independent predictors of lower Stoma-QOL scores.
Results: The mean age of subjects was 50.6 ± 13.9 years and 59.4% men. There were 80 patients (62.5%) with colostomy, 48 patients (37.5%) with ileostomy, and 70 patients (54.7%) with permanent stoma. To demonstrate moderate impairment, the average overall Stoma-QOL score was 57.9 ± 15.1. Fear of leakage, distress over odour, sleep disturbances, loss of social confidence and discomfort about intimacy were the most severely affected areas. Lower scores were reported by those with permanent stoma (53.1 ± 14.0 vs 63.8 ± 13.4), peristomal complications (48.7 ± 12.6 vs 63.6 ± 13.1), recurrent leakage (46.9 ± 11.8 vs 62.3 ± 13.8), and dependence on caregivers for stoma care (49.6 ± 13.2 vs 63.4 ± 14.0), all p < 0.001 in this category. On multivariable assessment, the following independent variables including peristomal complications, recurrent leakage, permanent stoma, lower education level, and decreased self-care independence independently predicted worsened QoL.
Conclusion: Outcomes of quality of life in patients with intestinal stoma were substantially compromised, particularly in psychosocial and self-management domains. The most significant correlates of poor outcome were complication burden and loss of care independence. Long-term adherence and rehabilitation will likely benefit from timely control of complications, structured education for stoma patients and psychosocial support.
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Jaunik vyas
Department of general surgery , NHL municipal medical college and svp hospital, ahmedabad , gujarat ,india, PIN-380006
Riddhi shah
Department of general surgery , NHL municipal medical college and svp hospital, ahmedabad , gujarat ,india, PIN-380006
Krutik Nayak
Dept Of Pharmacology, SMIMER MEDICAL COLLEGE, SURAT Email-
