The impact of an ostomy on older colorectal cancer patients: a cross-sectional survey.
Int J Colorectal Dis
; 32(1): 89-94, 2017 Jan.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27722790
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Ostomies are being placed in 35 % of patients after colorectal cancer surgery. As decision-making regarding colorectal surgery is challenging in the older patients, it is important to have insight in the potential impact due to ostomies.METHODS:
An internet-based survey was sent to all members with registered email addresses of the Dutch Ostomy Patient Association.RESULTS:
The response rate was 49 %; 932 cases were included of whom 526 were aged <70 years old ("younger respondents"), 301 were aged between 70 and 79 years old ("the elderly"), and 105 were aged ≥80 years old ("oldest old"). Ostomy-related limitations were similar in the different age groups, just as uncertainty (8-10 %) and dependency (18-22 %) due to the ostomy. A reduced quality of life was experienced least in the oldest old group (24 % vs 37 % of the elderly and 46 % of the younger respondents, p < 0.001). Over time, a decrease of limitations and impact due to the ostomy was observed.CONCLUSION:
Older ostomates do not experience more limitations or psychosocial impact due to the ostomy compared to their younger counterparts. Over the years, impact becomes less distinct. Treatment decision-making is challenging in the older colorectal cancer patients but ostomy placement should not be withheld based on age alone.Key words
Full text:
1
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Ostomy
/
Colorectal Neoplasms
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Year:
2017
Type:
Article