The psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Ostomy Self-Care Index and the Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care in Ostomy Patient Index.

BACKGROUND: Living with an ostomy is a chronic condition, and self-care in such cases improves patient outcomes. PURPOSE: To adapt and test the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Ostomy Self-Care Index (T-OSCI) and the Turkish version of the Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care in Ostomy Patient Index (T-CC-OSCI). METHODS: A psychometric study was conducted on a convenience sample of 202 adult patients with an ostomy and their 165 caregivers. Translation and back translation, face and content validity, construct validation, and reliability assessment of the T-OSCI and the T-CC-OSCI were performed. Exploratory factor analysis was used to evaluate the construct validity. Reliability was established using Cronbach α coefficients, ceiling and floor effects, and the Hotelling T2 test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Content validity values were in the range of 0.85 to 1 for both the T-OSCI and the T-CC-OSCI. Exploratory factor analysis demonstrated generally acceptable factor loadings. The overall index revealed a high level of internal consistency (T-OSCI = 0.968, T-CC-OSCI = 0.862). No statistically significant difference was found between test-retest measurements. There was no indication of either ceiling or floor effects, or response bias. CONCLUSION: The T-OSCI and the T-CC-OSCI are valid and reliable indexes to measure the self-care of patients with an ostomy and their caregivers. These indexes may allow health care professionals to evaluate self-care in research and clinical settings, identify educational needs, and collaborate in developing and supporting appropriate self-care initiatives for patients with an ostomy and their caregivers.

Course and predictors of supportive care needs among colorectal cancer survivors with ostomies: a longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: Although there is a growing emphasis on supportive care for cancer patients, those with colorectal cancer (CRC) who have ostomies require special attention in terms of their physical, psychological, spiritual, and social needs. However, there has been a lack of significant progress in meeting the supportive care needs of CRC survivors with ostomies. To bridge this gap, we conducted a prospective longitudinal study to track the trends in supportive care needs among CRC survivors with ostomies and identify any predictors over 6-month period. METHODS: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted at the wound and stoma clinic of Dalian University Affiliated Xinhua Hospital, focusing on CRC survivors with ostomies. A total of 143 participants completed self-report questionnaires on the 34-item Short-Form Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS-SF34-C (Mandarin)) and stoma complications at the first, third, and sixth month after surgery. ANOVA with repeated measure was utilized to assess the course of supportive care needs, with Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) applied to identify predictors of SCNS. RESULTS: The supportive care needs and five dimensions scores were statistically significant at three time points (P < 0.05). The ratings of patients at the first, third, and sixth month after surgery revealed a decreasing trend in the scores for patient care and support, psychological needs, physical and daily living needs, and health system and information needs. However, the score for sexual needs showed an increased tendency. Higher levels supportive care needs were generally connected with a short duration after ostomy, high income level, resident medical insurance, spouse caregiver, other chronic disease, and stoma complications. CONCLUSIONS: Survivors' supportive care needs showed a dynamic trend over 6 months after surgery. Through three rounds, the primary needs were health system and information needs. It is recommended to integrate interdisciplinary health professionals and establish a comprehensive support and care system to effectively meet the diverse needs at different stages. Priority should be given to individuals with ostomies during the first and third month after surgery, particularly those with higher income levels, employee medical insurance, spouse caregivers, other chronic diseases, and stoma complications.

The Effect of Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises on Bowel Evacuation and Quality of Life in Following Intestinal Ostomy Closure: Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: This purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFMEs) on bowel evacuation problems and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) following ostomy closure. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: Forty individuals following ostomy closure consented to participate in the study; 6 participants (15%) did not complete the trial (2 died and 2 required a second ostomy) yielding a study sample of 34. Participants were randomly allocated to an Exercise Group (EG, n = 17) and Control Group (CG, n = 17). The mean age of the EG was 55.7 (SD 12.6) years, whereas the mean age of the CG was 62.0 (SD 12.1) years. The study setting was the surgery clinic of 4 hospitals in Ankara, Turkey. Data were collected between December 2018 and May 2020. METHODS: The study intervention, PFME training by a clinician, was administered to participants in the EG; CG participants received no information regarding PFME. Data were collected during face-to-face interviews on the day before discharge and by phone at the first, second, third, and sixth months after surgery. A questionnaire was used for data collection that queried a demographic and pertinent clinical questions, along with the Assessment Form for Bowel Evacuation Habits and Psychosocial Problems, Wexner Scale, and the Short Form (SF-36) Health-related Quality of Life Scale. Descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U test, t-test, Pearson-χ2 test, Fisher's Exact test, Friedman test, and Cochran-Q test statistical analysis according to normal distribution were used in data evaluation. RESULTS: The number of defecations in the EG was statistically significantly lower than the CG at the second, third, and sixth months (P = .002, P = .002, P = .001, respectively). In addition, the number of individuals experiencing night defecation was statistically significantly less in the EG compared to the CG at the second-, third-, and sixth-month follow-ups (P = .001, P = .001, P = .028, respectively). HRQOL scores were also significantly higher in the EG. CONCLUSION: Pelvic floor exercises applied after ostomy closure are effective in reducing bowel evacuation and increasing quality of life. Given these findings, PFMEs are recommended for patients after ostomy closure.

Comparison of adjustment to a temporary or permanent ostomy using the OAI-23.

AIM: The aim of this work was to compare adjustment between those with a new temporary or permanent ostomy in a cohort of Australian adults. METHOD: This is a multicentre, longitudinal observational study. Ostomy adjustment was measured using the Ostomy Adjustment Inventory (OAI-23) at six possible time points ending at 9 months postsurgery or at the time of ostomy closure in those with a temporary stoma. The OAI-23 includes four domains: anger, acceptance, anxious preoccupation and social engagement. RESULTS: Eligibility criteria were met by 1230 patients, with 849 (69%) recruited and consented. Of these, 108 were excluded as their surgery did not result in the formation of an ostomy and a further 41 were excluded due to there being no data on ostomy type (temporary or permanent). This left a study population of 700, of whom 397 had a temporary and 303 a permanent ostomy. Only small differences were observed between the temporary and permanent ostomy groups at most time points within the four OAI-23 domains. There were no statistically significant differences found beyond 2 weeks postdischarge and the differences were of small size. While no difference was found between the groups in the domain of anxious preoccupation, both groups demonstrated an increase in anxious preoccupation over time. Neither group regained their presurgery confidence to attend social engagements. CONCLUSION: We found only minor differences in adjustment in those with a new temporary ostomy compared with a new permanent ostomy. Both groups demonstrated increasing anxious preoccupation and problems with social engagement. This suggests that access to education, training and support should be equitable between these two groups in clinical practice, and needs to incorporate a focus on psychological as well as physical outcomes.

Nursing interventions for the self-efficacy of ostomy patients: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Self-efficacy interventions, which include the acquisition of skills that enable patients to manage their health on a daily basis, play a key role in ostomy patients, which leads to significant changes in the quality of life of patients. In this context, nursing interventions to increase self-efficacy of ostomy patients are very important. In this context, nursing interventions are crucial to increase the self-efficacy of ostomy patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review is to describe nursing interventions for ostomy patients' self-efficacy (primary outcome) and the impact of these interventions on patient outcomes (complications, quality of life, satisfaction, psychological resilience, stoma adaptation) (secondary outcomes). METHOD: As a systematic review, this study included articles published in PUBMED, Web of Science, Science-Direct, TUBITAK-ULAKBIM, and TRDizin databases between January 2013 and January 2023 that included nursing interventions for self-efficacy ostomy patients. This systematic review was developed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist. The risk of bias was assessed using the RoB2 tool developed by Cochrane. RESULTS: A total of 1211 articles were retrieved from the databases using Turkish and English keywords. Fifteen studies met the study criteria. These studies found that various interventions, such as training, telephone follow-up, psychosocial support groups, or mobile applications provided to intervention groups, increased self-efficacy, decreased stoma-related complications, improved stoma adaptation, and improved quality of life by increasing patients' knowledge and awareness of stoma. CONCLUSION: Nursing interventions to improve the self-efficacy and adaptation of ostomy patients are critical. This improvement leads to a reduction in adverse patient outcomes and ostomy complications, shorter hospital stays, and increased patient and nurse satisfaction.

Effects of sexual counseling on sexual function and sexual quality of life of women with permanent intestinal ostomy.

BACKGROUND: Patients with an intestinal ostomy may experience significant sexual dysfunction that may have adverse impacts on quality of life. Appropriate sexual health counseling can be beneficial for these patients. AIM: This study was conducted to determine the effect of sexual counseling on the sexual function and sexual quality of life of women with a permanent intestinal ostomy. METHODS: For this experimental study, 60 female patients with a permanent intestinal ostomy were selected through convenience sampling and then randomly assigned to either the intervention or control groups. Patients in the intervention group received four 90-minute individual counseling sessions based on the PLISSIT (permission [P], limited information [LI], specific suggestions [SS], and intensive therapy [IT] model over a period of 4 weeks). The control group underwent routine training. Data were collected by use of a demographic information questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index, and the Sexual Quality of Life Female questionnaire. Both groups completed the questionnaires before and after the intervention. OUTCOMES: Study outcomes were the resulting data for the Female Sexual Function Index and the Sexual Quality of Life Female questionnaire. RESULTS: The results revealed a significant increase in the mean score of sexual function in the intervention group after counseling (P = .001). No significant difference was observed in the mean score of sexual quality of life between the 2 groups before the intervention (P > .05). In contrast, a significant increase was noted in the intervention group's sexual quality of life after the intervention (P = .001). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The results indicate a need to sexual counseling interventions directed toward sexual function and sexual quality of life in women with permanent intestinal ostomy. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: Study strengths include utilization of the PLISSIT model for sexual counseling as an invaluable roadmap for healthcare professionals, systematically addressing patient needs within a tailored framework, and prescribing appropriate strategies over 4 distinct phases. Limitations include the use of convenience sampling and no follow-up duration. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the efficacy of counseling in enhancing sexual well-being of women with permanent intestinal ostomy.

Intimacy and survivors of cancer with ostomies: findings from the Ostomy Self-management Training trial.

BACKGROUND: Many people with abdominal or pelvic cancers require an ostomy during surgical treatment, which can cause significant issues with physical and emotional intimacy in relationships. AIM: To evaluate the effect of a telehealth-based education program on intimacy over time for survivors of cancer with ostomies. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of our multicenter randomized controlled trial to determine intimacy outcomes and to compare the effects of the Ostomy Self-management Training (OSMT) program vs usual care. Partnered patients were included who provided answers to the City of Hope Quality of Life-Ostomy survey for at least 2 time points during the study. We evaluated the effect of baseline information, such as gender on intimacy. OUTCOMES: The primary outcome was intimacy, estimated by a composite score created from questions within the City of Hope Quality of Life-Ostomy survey. RESULTS: Of 216 enrolled volunteers, 131 had a partner: 68 in the OSMT arm and 63 in the usual care arm. Of these, 48 were women and 83 were men. The tumor types represented in this study were colorectal (n = 69), urinary (n = 45), gynecologic (n = 10), and other (n = 7; eg, melanoma, liposarcoma). From the cohort, 87 answered the 5 composite intimacy score questions at 2 time points, including baseline. There was significant improvement over time in composite intimacy scores for participants in the OSMT arm vs the usual care arm. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Our OSMT intervention had a positive effect on factors that contribute to intimacy for survivors of cancer with ostomies, suggesting that a survivorship curriculum can improve their experiences after ostomy surgery. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: OSMT allowed for discussion of intimacy and other sensitive topics, which can be challenging. These discussions demonstrate benefit to participants and can serve as frameworks for cancer treatment providers. The focus of this work on partnered participants provides insight into the interpersonal challenges of a life with an ostomy, but it may overlook the important perspectives of nonpartnered participants and the partners themselves. Furthermore, limited power prevented us from conducting subgroup analyses exploring the effects of factors such as gender and tumor type on intimacy. CONCLUSION: At 6-month follow-up, the novel intimacy composite score indicated improvement for participants completing the OSMT intervention. Future research studies with higher power will validate this intimacy measurement and identify intimacy differences in similar populations based on tumor type.

Factors Affecting Psychosocial Adjustment in Persons With a Recent Ostomy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the influence of personal and clinical factors on psychosocial adjustment in persons living with an ostomy for less than 1 year. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The study sample comprised 183 adult individuals who had a colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy for less than 1 year, residing in the Northeastern United States. METHODS: Data were collected from May through November 2018 using 2 instruments: a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Ostomy Adjustment Inventory-23 (OAI-23). The OAI-23 items measured 4 psychosocial subscales: acceptance, anxious preoccupation, social engagement, and anger. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance, multivariate analysis of variance, Cramer's V correlations, and multiple regression. RESULTS: Univariate analysis indicated that factors influencing psychosocial adjustment to an ostomy include age, assistance with care, educational background, stomal type, body mass index, ostomy height, preoperative education, and stoma siting. Multivariate analysis of variance identified that those who reported independence with ostomy care experienced higher levels of adjustment in all areas of the OAI-23. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study may assist nurses and other care providers to better understand the physical and emotional needs of those with ostomies and to identify interventions to promote optimal health in this population.

Nurses' viewpoints on factors affecting ostomy care: A qualitative content analysis.

AIMS: Ostomy plays an important role in management of medical conditions, especially postoperative status of colorectal and bladder cancers. Nurses who have the highest contact level with these patients, face many situations while providing care and need to acquire adequate knowledge and practice responding to patients' needs. The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of nurses in caring of abdominal ostomy patients. DESIGN: A qualitative content analysis study. METHODS: In this qualitative content analysis study, 17 participants were selected using purposeful sampling method and data were collected through in-depth and semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was done using conventional content analysis method. RESULTS: Analysis of the findings led to the emergence of 78 sub-subcategories, 20 subcategories and seven main themes, including 'Inefficient educational system', 'Nurse Characteristics', 'Workplace challenges', 'Nature of ostomy care', ' Counseling and preparation of patients for surgery', 'Acquaintance with ostomy complications', and 'Proper planning of patient education'. Results showed that nurses in surgical wards provide non-special ostomy care due to lack of sufficient knowledge and skills and absence of up-to-date and local clinical guidelines which is vital to provide evidence-based scientific care and avoid unfounded and arbitrary care.

The impact of stoma management education on the self-care abilities of individuals with an intestinal stoma.

An intestinal stoma is a surgically formed exteriorisation of the large or small bowel on to the anterior abdomen wall, to enable faeces to be excreted from the body. Patients living with a stoma may encounter physical, psychological, and social barriers and challenges. Stoma self-management education is essential to improving self-care competence, and patients who perceive the benefits of self-management education show a better adjustment to living with a stoma. This literature review explored the effectiveness of patient education interventions in improving the self-care knowledge and skills of patients living with an ostomy. The findings from the nine studies reviewed showed that self-management education approaches are effective in improving patients' self-care. The application of different approaches to ostomy self-management education, such as a transtheoretical model, chronic care model, telehealth and multimedia-based programmes - helped improve patients' self-care ability. The review also found that patients needed at least 3 months to develop the skills and maintain their ability to self-care. In addition, two education sessions provided to patients in hospital pre-discharge appeared sufficient for improving and maintaining self-care abilities. Where patients received education in hospital post-surgery, 2 or 3 sessions over 7 days were found to be sufficient to provide them with stoma care skills. Education sessions based on the transtheoretical model and chronic care model or telehealth helped maintain and reinforce self-care behaviours following discharge.

A pilot study of a digital ostomy leakage notification system: impact on worry and quality of life.

BACKGROUND: More than 90% of people with an ostomy worry about leakage, with associated high rates of psychological morbidity. AIMS: To assess the performance of a novel digital ostomy leakage notification system in subjects with faecal stomas who experience and worry about leakage. METHOD: A prospective, single-arm, pilot study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04894084) with 25 subjects testing the product for 21 days. Subjects completed questionnaires at baseline and termination of study evaluating leakage episodes, leakage worry and quality of life (QoL). FINDINGS: Mean age was 56 years, 60% had an ileostomy, and 40% were females. Mean episodes of leakage outside the baseplate decreased significantly from 2.8 to 0.5 episodes after 21 days' use of the test product (P<0.001), worry about leakage decreased significantly (P<0.001) and QoL improved. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate strong improvements to emotional health with the test product, driven by reductions in leakage incidents outside baseplate and in users' worry about leakage.

Experiences and results from using a novel clinical feedback system in routine stoma care nurse follow-up of patients with an ostomy: a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: A faecal or urinary ostomy may be lifesaving. However, it involves significant bodily change, and the adjustment process to life with an ostomy includes a broad spectre of physical and psychosocial challenges. Thus, new interventions are needed to improve adaptation to living with an ostomy. This study aimed to examine experiences and outcomes using a new clinical feedback system with patient-reported outcome measures in ostomy care. METHODS: In this longitudinal explorative study, 69 ostomy patients were followed by a stoma care nurse in an outpatient clinic, using a clinical feedback system postoperatively at 3, 6 and 12 months. The patients responded electronically to the questionnaires before each consultation. The Generic Short Patient Experiences Questionnaire was used to measure patient experiences and satisfaction with follow-up. The Ostomy Adjustment Scale (OAS) measured adjustment to life with an ostomy, and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) assessed the patient's health-related quality of life. Longitudinal regression models with time as an explanatory (categorical) variable were used to analyse changes. The STROBE guideline was applied. RESULTS: The patients were satisfied with their follow-up (96%). Especially, they felt they received sufficient and individualised information, were involved in treatment decisions, and benefited from the consultations. The OAS subscale scores for 'daily activities', 'knowledge and skills' and 'health' improved over time (all p < 0.05), as did the physical and mental component summary scores of the SF-36 (all p < 0.05). Effect sizes of changes were small (0.20-0.40). Sexuality was the most challenging factor reported. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical feedback system could be helpful because outpatient follow-ups for ostomy patients may be more tailored when clinicians use clinical feedback systems. However, further development and testing are needed.

Self-management goals of cancer survivors with an ostomy.

OBJECTIVES: Ostomies due to cancer surgery impose complex and enduring care challenges that necessitate cancer survivors" self-management. The objective of this analysis is to evaluate ostomates' self- management goals using a qualitative approach. METHODS: A multi-site randomized controlled trial testing the Ostomy Self-Management Training program (OSMT) was delivered via telehealth to a group of cancer survivors with an ostomy randomized to either the OSMT program with goal setting or usual care (UC), without goal setting. Goals were classified by type and frequency according to a modified City of Hope Health-Related Quality of Life framework (physical, psychological, social, spiritual, ostomy-specific, and healthcare quality domains), using a directed and systematic content analysis approach. RESULTS: The 524 self-management goals analyzed by domain frequencies physical (29.4%), ostomy specific (29.0%) and social well-being (25.0%) were predominant. Managing other health issues (7.6%), psychological issues (6.0%), and spiritual well-being issues (3.0%) were next. Common self-management themes were ostomy care independence (87.5%), handling cancer-related issues (62.5%), achieving acceptance (56.2%), resuming physical activity (43.0%), and maintaining fluid/diet balance (43.0%). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Goal-setting offers insights into self-management concerns of cancer survivors with ostomies. Results demonstrate the broad aspects of self-management ostomates face. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Self-management training with patient goal-setting may be used to help ostomates with cancer and their health care providers identify areas for needed education and support.

Factors contributing to the quality of life among Thai patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer with a stoma: An integrative review.

AIM: To appraise and synthesize research investigating the factors contributing to the quality of life (QOL) among Thai patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) with a stoma. DESIGN: An integrative review. DATA SOURCES: The scientific databases CINAHL, Medline, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and ThaiJO were queried for English or Thai research articles published between 2011 and 2021. REVIEW METHODS: Included studies were searched utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. The eligible studies were critically appraised by evaluating the study level and quality using the John Hopkins Research Evidence Appraisal Tool. Whittemore and Knafl's five-stage framework was used to guide this integrative review. Primary data from each suitable study were abstracted, coded and categorized into sub-themes. Finally, themes were identified based on the review question and objective. RESULTS: Eight articles met the inclusion criteria. Twelve sub-themes and five significant themes were identified: Sociodemographic and clinical, physiological, psychological, social and spiritual aspects. CONCLUSION: Factors contributing to QOL among Thai CRC ostomates can be categorized into five domains. The sociodemographic and clinical, physiological and psychological aspects are similar to those in other countries. In the meanwhile, the social and spiritual domains differ from those in other countries, particularly in extended family support and Buddhist belief. IMPACT: By providing the QOL contributing factors, nurses can investigate the significant QOL predictors and create the appropriate interventions for promoting QOL, specifically among Thai CRC adults with a stoma. Likewise, it will be helpful to integrate this result into the nursing curriculum in Thailand and other similar countries to teach nursing students who could give direct holistic care to CRC adults with a stoma. In addition, it will serve as the basis for healthcare policy regarding nursing practice guidelines for assessing the individuals' QOL factors and promoting QOL activities after ostomy surgery. Patient or Public contribution: The ostomy nurses in Thailand are involved in the data analysis stage. They read all the included studies before the meeting. They considered and commented on the generating and synthesizing of codes, subthemes and themes.

La sexualidad cuando se porta una ostomía. Una revisión de los estudios cualitativos entre 2012 y 2022 / Sexuality in persons with an ostomate. A review about qualitative investigations between 2012 and 2022

Introducción: portar un estoma ocasiona una afectación impactante a la persona a nivel integral. Las afectacio nes abarcan desde las fisiológicas a las psicológicas, emocionales, sociales y familiares. La sexualidad no queda al margen al verse alterada la anatomía, fisiología e imagen corporal de la perso na. Objetivo general: revisar los estudios de metodología cualitativa publicados entre 2012 y 2022 que se han publicado en español, inglés y portugués acerca de cómo se ve afectada la sexualidad de una persona al portar una ostomía. Me todología: se plantea una revisión biblio gráfica de diseño descriptivo y retrospec tivo en lengua castellana, inglés y portu gués entre agosto y septiembre de 2022 en las bases de datos Dialnet, Cuiden, Scielo, Lilacs, Pubmed, Science Direct y EBSCO. Resultados: las disfunciones fisiológicas y alteraciones anatómicas suponen una afectación de la imagen corporal que estigmatiza a la persona que porta una ostomía llegando a poder renunciar a su vida sexual por temor a lesionar el estoma o por afectación psi cológica siendo importante el papel de la enfermera estomaterapeuta para superar estos problemas. Conclusiones: se ha de atender al paciente que porta una osto mía de manera holista y durante todo el proceso quirúrgico y abordar la sexualidad sin tabúes. Se ve necesaria la inves tigación cualitativa para comprender me jor al paciente en este nuevo contexto (AU)

Introduction: carrying a stoma has a shocking affectation for a person at an integral level. The effects range from physiological to psychological, emotional, social and family. Sexuality is not left out when the person's anatomy, physiology and body image are altered. General ob jective: to review the qualitative methodo logy studies published between 2012 and 2022 that have been published in Spa nish, English and Portuguese on how a person's sexuality is affected by having an ostomy. Methodology: a bibliographic review of descriptive and retrospective design is proposed in Spanish, English and Portuguese between August and September 2022 in the Dialnet, Cuiden, Scielo, Lilacs, Pubmed, Science Direct and EBSCO databases. Results: the physiological dysfunctions and anatomi cal alterations imply an affectation of the body image that stigmatizes the person who carries an ostomy, being able to give up their sexual life due to fears of injuring the stoma or due to psychological affec tations, the role of the stomatherapist nurse being important to overcome these problems. Conclusions: the patient with an ostomy must be cared holistically and throughout the surgical process and se xuality must be approached without ta boos. Qualitative research is necessary to better understand the patient in this new context (AU)

Quality of Life, Anxiety and Depression among Clients with Ostomy Attending Selected Stoma Clinics.

BACKGROUND: Ostomy is a part of treatment among patients which has detrimental effects in patient's life. The main aim is to identify the quality of life, anxiety and Depression in clients with an ostomy. METHODS: Descriptive exploratory study design was used. Total of 116 clients with ostomy, aged 18 years and above were selected from stoma clinics. The modified version of City of Hope and Beckman Research Institute, Quality of Life Questionnaire for Patient with Ostomy and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was adopted for data collection using an interview technique. RESULTS: The overall mean ± S.D quality of life score was 5.89 ± 1.34. Majority (59.5%) of respondents possessed low Quality of life. Among the quality of life domains, the least and most affected domains were physical (5.96±1.52) and social (4.71±1.44) respectively. Duration of having an ostomy (p<0.001), problem in clothing (p<0.002) and change in clothing style (p= 0.002) were significantly associated with the level of quality of life. Almost two-thirds of the respondents were in the borderline and abnormal level of anxiety and depression. The level of anxiety has significant association with suicidal consideration/attempt (p=.04). CONCLUSION: Presence of ostomy affects patient's quality of life by increasing financial burden, adjustment difficulties, sexual and psychological problems (anxiety, depression, suicidal consideration). Sexual and psychological counselling, ostomy support groups and free health services to ostomates may improve their quality of life.

The Italian Wellness Survey of more than 1000 ostomy patients: trends in patient adjustment after stoma placement.

BACKGROUND: Despite technological advances to minimize the damage caused by ostomy surgery, patients face many physical and emotional challenges that can severely impact their health-related quality of life. PURPOSE: This survey monitored the wellness of patients with ostomies during their clinical follow-up through the 8-item Wellness Questionnaire, a simplified version of the validated Ostomy-Q. METHODS: The survey involved 1054 Italian novice and expert ostomy appliance users who had received a new device prescription (expert users changed to a new device due to problems with a previous device such as a change in weight or body profile and leakage). Patients were questioned at 2 time points: baseline (T0) and 4 weeks after stoma placement (T1). RESULTS: The overall Wellness Questionnaire score and the individual items generally improved from T0 to T1 for both types of users, suggesting that both novice and expert users face an adjustment phase for the ostomy device that impacts several aspects of their life. However, novice users were less concerned about social relations and skin irritation at both time points compared with expert users, whereas device visibility under clothes at T0 and social relationships at T1 were of lesser concern for experienced users than for novice ones. CONCLUSION: The Wellness Questionnaire, carried out by stoma therapists during the clinical follow-up of patients with ostomies, highlighted an overall improving trend 1 month after the device prescription for both expert and novice users. Both types of patients faced daily challenges related to the new ostomy device but from different perspectives. Further studies are needed to confirm the outcomes of this survey.

Health-related quality of life among patients with an ostomy regarding sex, disease diagnosis, health care provider, and ostomy type: a descriptive cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Ostomy surgery can negatively affect quality of life; however, the lived experiences of individuals with ostomies in Saudi Arabia are not well understood. PURPOSE: To examine how sex, ostomy type, disease diagnosis, and health care provider shape health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in individuals with ostomies in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted based on self-reported data of a convenience sample of 421 patients (239 male, 182 female) with ostomies (206 temporary, 211 permanent, 4 unknown) from 5 hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using the City of Hope-Quality of Life-Ostomy Questionnaire (Arabic version) and analyzed by univariate and multiple regression analyses to identify predictors of physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and overall HRQOL. RESULTS: HRQOL scores correlated significantly with ostomy type (temporary vs permanent), sex, and health care provider. There were no significant differences in HRQOL scores by disease diagnosis (cancer vs non-cancer). CONCLUSION: Several potential predictors of HRQOL among patients with ostomies in Saudi Arabia were identified, which may assist in developing intervention strategies to improve patients' HRQOL. Additional studies are needed to understand the specific barriers in each group.

Predictors of Adjustment to Living with an Ostomy: Results of a Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe predictors of adjustment to living with an ostomy among Italian adults with an enterostomy or a colostomy. METHODS: A multicenter, cross-sectional design was performed, sampling 403 patients with an ostomy in three different outpatient clinics of northern Italy between April 2018 and December 2020. Data were collected by stoma therapists in ambulatory settings using the Italian version of the Ostomy Adjustment Inventory-23 and patient medical records. RESULTS: Acceptance was lower among women, patients who underwent emergency surgery, those with a urostomy, and those with a body mass index of less than or equal to 25 kg/m2. Negative feelings were associated with higher body mass index, colostomies, shorter length of time of living with an ostomy, and emergency ostomy creation. CONCLUSIONS: Being young and having a high level of education are protective against psychosocial problems and help promote acceptance and social engagement. The findings of this study help identify patients who are likely to be more vulnerable and need greater support through specific educational and motivational interventions.

Impact of stoma leakage in everyday life: data from the Ostomy Life Study 2019.

BACKGROUND: Many people with a stoma experience leakage of stomal effluent. AIM: To investigate the impact of leakage on individuals with a stoma. METHODS: The Ostomy Life Study 2019 included a survey concerning experiences with stomal effluent leakage and the validated Ostomy Leak Impact tool. FINDINGS: Respondents with frequent leakage episodes were significantly more affected emotionally and they were feeling less in control than those who rarely or never experienced leakage. The emotional impact of experiencing leakage onto clothes appeared to last up to 1 year after the last leakage incidence. Because of worrying about leakage users increased their product usage and, of those who were in employment, 65% reported that leakage and the related worry influenced their ability to work. CONCLUSION: Most people with a stoma were emotionally impacted by experiencing leakage, especially by leakage outside the baseplate (resulting in soiled clothes). New solutions are warranted that can help reduce the impact of leakage.