The development of a cryptoglandular anal fistula quality of life scale (AF-QoL).

AIM: Quality of life (QoL) is a crucial and core outcome in assessing the effectiveness of treatments for cryptoglandular anal fistula. Despite its extensive impact, there is a lack of patient-centred, disease-specific QoL measurement instruments of adequate quality. The aim of this study is to develop a disease-specific measurement instrument that can accurately measure QoL for patients with cryptoglandular anal fistula. METHOD: Semi-structured qualitative patient interviews and a systematic review of current instruments were used to generate items for the draft instrument. This underwent successive rounds of cognitive interviews to refine its wording and structure. Individual item and overall scale content validity were determined by asking experts to rate the relevance of each item and those deemed irrelevant were removed. The final instrument then underwent psychometric testing and test-retest analysis to determine its sensitivity and stability. RESULTS: A total of 148 patients were involved in item generation, scale development and psychometric testing. A 22-item measurement instrument has been developed; it is scored on a scale of 0-100, where 0 indicates the worst QoL and 100 demonstrates perfect QoL. The scale demonstrates excellent internal consistency (Cronbach-α = 0.927), strong content and construct validity [correlation with Perianal Disease Activity Index = -0.713, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Anxiety (-0.659) and Depression (-0.673) subscales and Short Form-12 physical (0.609) and mental (0.589) component scales] and strong reliability and responsiveness. CONCLUSION: We have developed a cryptoglandular Anal Fistula Quality of Life scale (AF-QoL), a comprehensive, disease-specific patient reported outcome measure assessing QoL in patients with cryptoglandular anal fistula.

Development and initial psychometric validation of a patient-reported outcome measure for Crohn's perianal fistula: the Crohn's Anal Fistula Quality of Life (CAF-QoL) scale.

INTRODUCTION: Crohn's perianal fistulas are challenging for patients and clinicians. Many do not respond to available treatments and despite recommendations by a global consensus, there are currently no specific patient-derived quality of life tools to measure response to treatment. We present a new validated patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for this complicated disease phenotype. METHODS: A draft questionnaire was generated using unstructured qualitative patient interviews on the experience of living with Crohn's perianal fistula, a nationwide multidisciplinary consensus exercise, a systematic review of outcomes assessing medical/surgical/combined treatment and a patient and public involvement day. Psychometric properties were assessed including construct validity (by comparison with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the UK Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (UK-IBDQ)), and reliability and responsiveness was assessed by test-retest analysis. RESULTS: Data from 211 patients contributed to development of a final 28-item questionnaire. The Crohn's Anal Fistula Quality of Life (CAF-QoL) demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.88), excellent stability (intraclass correlation 0.98) and good responsiveness and construct validity, with positive correlation with the UK-IBDQ and HADS. CONCLUSION: The CAF-QoL scale is ready for use as a PROM in research and clinical practice. It complements objective clinical evaluation of fistula by capturing impact on the patient.

Burden of disease and adaptation to life in patients with Crohn's perianal fistula: a qualitative exploration.

BACKGROUND: Perianal fistulas are a challenging manifestation of Crohn's disease. Best medical and surgical therapy results in only about a third of patients remaining in remission at one year on maintenance treatment and sustained healing is often elusive. There is little published data on patient perspective of living with the condition or coping strategies in the face of non-curative/non-definitive treatment. We aimed to understand the experience of living with perianal fistula(s) and their impact on quality of life and routine functioning. METHODS: This exploratory qualitative study used purposive sampling to recruit participants with current / previous diagnosis of Crohn's anal fistulas, from national IBD / bowel disease charities. The "standards for reporting qualitative research" (SRQR) recommendations were followed. Unstructured individual face-to-face interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. Early themes were reviewed by the study team including patient advocates, clinicians and qualitative researchers. RESULTS: Twelve interviews were conducted, achieving apparent data saturation. Three broad themes were uncovered: Burden of symptoms; Burden of treatment; and Impact on emotional, physical and social well-being. Each included several sub-themes, with considerable interplay between these. The impact of perianal fistula(s) on patients with CD is intense and wide reaching, negatively affecting intimate, close and social relationships. Fistulas cause losses in life and work-related opportunities, and treatments can be difficult to tolerate. CONCLUSION: Crohn's perianal fistulas exert a heavy negative physical and emotional impact on patients. These findings will inform development of a patient reported outcome measure to assess treatment effectiveness and quality of life for patients living with this challenging condition.

Infliximab for Crohn's Disease Patients with Perianal Fistulas: Better Image, Better Life.

BACKGROUND Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) experience physical impairments, poor quality of life and negative body image. These factors are exacerbated in CD patients with active perianal fistulas. MATERIAL AND METHODS Baseline characteristics were compared in retrospectively enrolled CD patients with and without active perianal fistulas. The relationships between improvements in perianal fistulas and quality of life, body image, and self-esteem were determined. The effects of infliximab treatment on improvement of psychological-social status were assessed in CD patients with active perianal fistulas. RESULTS Of the 301 CD patients included in our institution's database. 91 (30.2%) had active perianal fistulas. After adjustment by propensity score matching, CD patients with active perianal fistulas had lower self-esteem and more severe body image dissatisfaction than CD patients without active perianal fistulas (P<0.01 each). Perianal fistula response was closely associated with improvements in quality of life, body image dissatisfaction and self-esteem (P<0.01 each). Patients with perianal fistula treated with infliximab showed a response rate of 68.3%, significantly higher than the rate in patients with perianal fistula not treated with infliximab (P=0.005). Furthermore, improvements of life quality, body image and self-esteem were significantly greater in patients with perianal fistula who were than were not treated with infliximab (P<0.05 each). CONCLUSIONS CD patients with active perianal fistulas experience body image dissatisfaction, low self-esteem and poor quality of life. Treatment of these patients with infliximab could improve their body image, self-esteem and quality of life.

Treatment of Perianal Fistulas in Crohn's Disease, Seton Versus Anti-TNF Versus Surgical Closure Following Anti-TNF [PISA]: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Most patients with perianal Crohn's fistula receive medical treatment with anti-tumour necrosis factor [TNF], but the results of anti-TNF treatment have not been directly compared with chronic seton drainage or surgical closure. The aim of this study was to assess if chronic seton drainage for patients with perianal Crohn's disease fistulas would result in less re-interventions, compared with anti-TNF and compared with surgical closure. METHODS: This randomised trial was performed in 19 European centres. Patients with high perianal Crohn's fistulas with a single internal opening were randomly assigned to: i] chronic seton drainage for 1 year; ii] anti-TNF therapy for 1 year; and iii] surgical closure after 2 months under a short course anti-TNF. The primary outcome was the cumulative number of patients with fistula-related re-intervention[s] at 1.5 years. Patients declining randomisation due to a specific treatment preference were included in a parallel prospective PISA registry cohort. RESULTS: Between September 14, 2013 and November 20, 2017, 44 of the 126 planned patients were randomised. The study was stopped by the data safety monitoring board because of futility. Seton treatment was associated with the highest re-intervention rate [10/15, versus 6/15 anti-TNF and 3/14 surgical closure patients, p = 0.02]. No substantial differences in perianal disease activity and quality of life between the three treatment groups were observed. Interestingly, in the PISA prospective registry, inferiority of chronic seton treatment was not observed for any outcome measure. CONCLUSIONS: The results imply that chronic seton treatment should not be recommended as the sole treatment for perianal Crohn's fistulas.

Long-term outcomes and quality of life following ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract for high transsphincteric fistulas.

AIM: Published outcomes following ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) for high transsphincteric fistulas (HTFs) are equivocal probably because most trials are small and comprise mixed patient populations. The aim of this study was to highlight the long-term efficacy of LIFT for HTFs in a large homogeneous sample and to determine the risk factors that contribute to non-healing resulting in failure and recurrence. METHOD: A retrospective study was performed which assessed patients with HTFs treated by LIFT without prior loose setons from September 2012 to December 2017. Continence function was evaluated by the Wexner incontinence scale and anal manometry. Quality of life was assessed by using the faecal incontinence quality of life (FIQL) scale with four domains: lifestyle, coping, depression and embarrassment. RESULTS: Seventy patients with HTFs underwent 71 LIFT procedures. The primary healing rate was 81.7% with a median follow-up duration of 16.5 (range 4.5-68) months. The healing rates of mature and immature fistulas were 83.7% and 77.3%, respectively. Two patients suffered failure with an unhealed intersphincteric wound. Recurrence occurred in 11 patients. Incontinence of flatus, present in four patients before surgery, improved postoperatively. Two patients undergoing LIFT combined with fistulotomy complained of flatus incontinence after surgery. No significant differences between preoperative and postoperative Wexner score, maximum resting pressure and maximum squeeze pressure were detected. The FIQL was improved in lifestyle, coping and depression. No risk factor for non-healing was found. CONCLUSION: LIFT has a promising long-term outcome for HTFs, with negligible impairment on continence and improved quality of life.

Design and Psychometric Evaluation of the Quality of Life in Patients With Anal Fistula Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life is often considered when deciding and evaluating the treatment strategy for patients diagnosed with anal fistula. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop and psychometrically test the Quality of Life in Patients with Anal Fistula Questionnaire. DESIGN: This was an observational cross-sectional study for the development and validation of a psychometric tool. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at a general hospital in the southeast of Spain. PATIENTS: A convenience sample included 54 patients diagnosed with anal fistula. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The reliability of the tool was assessed through its internal consistency (Cronbach α) and temporal stability (Spearman correlation coefficient (r) between test-retest). The content validity index of the items and the scale was calculated. Correlation analysis and an ordinal regression analysis between the developed tool and the Short Form 12 Health Survey examined its concurrent validity. Principal component analysis and known-group analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis test examined its construct validity. RESULTS: The reliability of the developed questionnaire was very high (α = 0.908; r = 0.861; p < 0.01). Its content validity was excellent (all-item content validity index = 0.79-1.00; scale validity index = 0.92). Evidence of its concurrent validity included strong correlation between the developed tool and Short Form 12 Health Survey (r = 0.734; p < 0.001), and participant scores on the developed tool explained ≈46.2% of the between-subject variation for the participant scores on Short Form 12 Health Survey (Nagelkerke R = 0.462). Confirming its construct validity, principal component analysis revealed that 2 factors explained 81.63% of the total variance found. Known-group analysis evidenced the ability of the questionnaire to detect expected differences in patients presenting with different symptomatology. LIMITATIONS: The major limitations of this study were the use of a small sample of Spanish-speaking patients, not including patients in the initial development of the questionnaire, and developing the scoring system using a summation method. CONCLUSIONS: The Quality of Life in Patients with Anal Fistula Questionnaire has proven to be a valid, reliable, and concise tool that could contribute to the evaluation of quality of life among patients with an anal fistula. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A368.

Quality of life following fistulotomy - short term follow-up.

AIM: Anal fistula causes pain and discharge of pus and blood. Treatment by fistulotomy has the highest success, but can risk continence; treatment needs to balance cure with continence. This study assessed the impact of fistulotomy on quality of life (QOL) and continence. METHOD: Patients selected for fistulotomy prospectively completed the St Mark's Continence Score (full incontinence = 24) and Short Form-36 questionnaires preoperatively at two institutions with an interest in anal fistula. Patients were reassessed 3 months' postoperatively. RESULTS: There were 52 patients with a median age of 44 (range 19-82) years; 10 were women. Preoperative continence scores were median 0 (range 0-23) and there was no significant difference compared with postoperative scores (median 1, range 0-24). Following fistulotomy QOL was significantly improved in four of eight domains - Bodily Pain (P < 0.001), Vitality (P < 0.01), Social Functioning (P < 0.05) and Mental Health (P < 0.001) - and returned to that of the general population. QOL for patients with intersphincteric fistula improved postfistulotomy, and for those with trans-sphincteric fistula it remained the same. Data were further examined in two groups, with and without deterioration in continence score. Where continence improved postoperatively, QOL improved in three domains; where continence deteriorated QOL improved in two domains (P < 0.05). Patients with postoperative continence scores of < 5 had worse QOL than those scoring 4 or less. CONCLUSION: QOL significantly improved at 3 months' follow-up after fistulotomy where continence was maintained or a small reduction occurred.

Comparison of an anal fistula plug and mucosa advancement flap for complex anal fistulas: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this analysis was to compare the advantages of the anal fistula plug (AFP) with the mucosa advancement flap (MAF) for complex anal fistulas. METHODS: Comparative studies of the efficacy of AFP and MAF were included. Two independent reviewers selected articles for inclusion. After information collection, a meta-analysis was performed using data on overall healing rates, complications, incontinences and recurrences. The quality of postoperative life and cost were also included with the clinical results. RESULTS: Ten studies included 778 patients who were divided into AFP and MAF groups in this meta-analysis. During the follow-up period, no significant difference in healing rates, complications and recurrences were found (P = 0.55, P = 0.78 and P = 0.23, respectively). The incontinence rate of AFP was lower than that of MAF (P = 0.04). The postoperative quality of life of AFP patients was superior to that of MAF patients. The AFP patients had less persistent pain of a shorter duration and shortened healing time and hospital stay. The treatment cost of AFP patient was lower than that of MAF. CONCLUSION: Compared to the MAF procedure, the AFP procedure has some advantages for complex anal fistulas, but more and large randomized clinical trials comparing the two procedures for fistula management need to be conducted.

Quality of life with anal fistula.

INTRODUCTION: Anal fistula affects people of working age. Symptoms include abscess, pain, discharge of pus and blood. Treatment of this benign disease can affect faecal continence, which may, in turn, impair quality of life (QOL). We assessed the QOL of patients with cryptoglandular anal fistula. METHODS: Newly referred patients with anal fistula completed the St Mark's Incontinence Score, which ranges from 0 (perfect continence) to 24 (totally incontinent), and Short form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire at two institutions with an interest in anal fistula. The data were examined to identify factors affecting QOL. RESULTS: Data were available for 146 patients (47 women), with a median age of 44 years (range 18-82 years) and a median continence score of 0 (range 0-23). Versus population norms, patients had an overall reduction in QOL. While those with recurrent disease had no difference on continence scores, QOL was worse on two of eight SF-36 domains (p<0.05). Patients with secondary extensions had reduced QOL in two domains (p<0.05), while urgency was associated with reduced QOL on five domains (p<0.05). Patients with loose seton had the same QOL as those without seton. No difference in urgency was found between patients with and without loose seton. In primary fistula patients, 19.4% of patients experienced urgency versus 36.3% of those with recurrent fistulas. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with anal fistula had a reduced QOL, which was worse in those with recurrent disease, secondary extensions and urgency. Loose seton had no impact on QOL.

Psychological stress in patients with anal fistula.

AIM: Psychological stress is known to affect the immunologic system and the inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of psychological stress, anxiety, and depression in patients with anal fistula. METHODS: Consecutive patients with anal fistula, hemorrhoids, and normal volunteers were studied prospectively. Stressful life events were recorded and subjects were asked to complete the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI), a depression scale, and three different reactive graphic tests (RGT). RESULTS: Seventy-eight fistula patients, 73 patients with grade III-IV hemorrhoids, and 37 normal volunteers were enrolled. Of the fistula patients, 65 (83 %) reported one or more stressful events in the year prior to diagnosis, compared to 16 (22 %) of the hemorrhoid patients (P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in the percentage of subjects with abnormal trait anxiety (i.e., proneness for anxiety) and depression scores between fistula patients, hemorrhoid patients, and controls. Fistula patients had significantly higher (i.e., better) scores compared to hemorrhoid patients in two of three RGT and significantly lower (i.e., worse) scores in all three RGT compared to healthy volunteers. Of 37 patients followed up for a median of 28 months (range 19-41 months) after surgery, 8 (21.6 %) had persistent or recurrent sepsis. There was no significant difference in depression, STAI, and RGT scores between patients with sepsis and patients whose fistula healed. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that an altered emotional state plays an important role in the pathogenesis of anal fistula and underline the importance of psychological screening in patients with anorectal disorders.

Perianal disease is associated with psychiatric co-morbidity in Crohn's disease in remission.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Crohn's disease is a life-long inflammatory disease which can impair quality of life, in particular in patients with psychiatric co-morbidities such as depression and anxiety. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to assess the prevalence of depression and anxiety and related risk factors in patients with quiescent Crohn's disease. METHODS: A consecutive series of adult patients with confirmed diagnosis of Crohn's disease, in clinical remission, were included and investigated during ambulatory visits using a standard questionnaire assessing demographic and clinical features of the disease. Within 1 month after the ambulatory visit, all patients were interviewed by phone to assess the presence of psychiatric disorders using standardized questionnaires. The questionnaire assessed the development of psychiatric disorders after the diagnosis of Crohn's disease, the use of antidepressant or antianxiety therapy and current anxiety or depression by means of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-five patients were included. Seventy-two (36.9 %) patients showed anxiety and/or depression symptoms, 46 (23.6 %) patients showed anxiety symptoms, 6 (3.1 %) patients showed depression symptoms and 20 (10.3 %) patients showed both symptoms. Forty-eight of these patients (58 %) were without any antidepressive or antianxiety treatment. Anxiety with or without depression was significantly correlated with female sex (p = 0.017), history of perianal disease (p = 0.003) and perianal surgery (p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: Anxiety is a frequent, often untreated, condition in patient affected by Crohn's disease in clinical remission. Female sex, history of perianal disease and perianal surgery are major risk factors for anxiety.

Salvage irrigation-suction in gracilis muscle repair of complex rectovaginal and rectourethral fistulas.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of gracilis muscle transposition and postoperative salvage irrigation-suction in the treatment of complex rectovaginal fistulas (RVFs) and rectourethral fistulas (RUFs). METHODS: Between May 2009 and March 2012, 11 female patients with complex RVFs and 8 male patients with RUFs were prospectively enrolled. Gracilis muscle transposition was undertaken in all patients and postoperative wound irrigation-suction was performed in patients with early leakage. Efficacy was assessed in terms of the success rate and surgical complications. SF-36 quality of life (QOL) scores and Wexner fecal incontinence scores were compared before and after surgery. RESULTS: The fistulas healed in 14 patients after gracilis muscle transposition; the initial healing rate was 73.7%. Postoperative leakage occurred and continuous irrigation-suction of wounds was undertaken in 5 patients: 4 healed and 1 failed, and postoperative fecal diversions were performed for the patient whose treatment failed. At a median follow-up of 17 mo, the overall healing rate was 94.7%. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 cases. Significant improvement was observed in the quality outcomes framework scores (P < 0.001) and Wexner fecal incontinence scores (P = 0.002) after the successful healing of complex RVFs or RUFs. There was no significant difference in SF-36 QOL scores between the initial healing group and irrigation-suction-assisted healing group. CONCLUSION: Gracilis muscle transposition and postoperative salvage wound irrigation-suction gained a high success rate in the treatment of complex RVFs and RUFs. QOL and fecal incontinence were significantly improved after the successful healing of RVFs and RUFs.

[Anorectal diagnostics for proctological diseases]. / Anorektale Diagnostik bei proktologischen Erkrankungen.

The majority of proctological diseases can be defined by a structured evaluation of the symptoms and a physical examination. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and anal endosonography can detect complex anal fistulas with a high accuracy but MRI should be preferred because of its objective visualization. Functional anorectal disorders are multifactorial and show morphological and functional irregularities in different compartments of the pelvic floor which is why MR defecography is now one of the most important methods in diagnostic algorithms. Interpreting the results of anal endosonography, anal manometry and neurophysiological testing is highly demanding because of large interindividual variability. Scores are used for objective measurement of symptom severity and quality of life. In clinical practice, well validated scores evaluated in large patient groups with predetermined circumstances are needed. Bringing together morphological results with scores based on subjective perception is required to optimize diagnostics and therapy evaluation in proctology.

Sphincter-preserving fistula management: what patients want.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine how patients with anal fistulas would rank clinical scenarios describing various management options for anal fistulas. METHOD: A survey was administered to 74 consecutive patients with anal fistulas. On each survey, 10 clinical scenarios describing various treatment options for anal fistulas were scored from 1 (most likely to select) to 10 (least likely to select). Mean scores for each scenario were calculated and compared by use of a Student t test. RESULTS: When combined, 74% of patients selected a sphincter-preserving technique as their primary choice compared with 26% who chose a fistulotomy (P < .0001). Compared with the highest ranking sphincter-preserving techniques, the mean scores of the scenarios involving a fistulotomy were significantly (P < .05) lower (less likely to select). The mean score of a traditional fistulotomy was the same as the mean score of a sphincter-preserving technique with a 50% success rate but no risk of diminished continence. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the majority of patients with an anal fistula will select a sphincter-preserving technique to manage their fistula. This finding may indicate that, within limits, it is of greater importance for most patients to minimize their risk of diminished continence than to have a highly successful treatment strategy for their fistula.

Quality of life following surgery for recurrent fistula-in-ano.

BACKGROUND: The management of fistula-in-ano remains a major surgical challenge and carries a significant morbidity affecting the quality of life (QOL) due to the disease and repeated operations. The aim of the study was to assess the QOL before and after successful surgical treatment of recurrent fistula-in-ano using the gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI) which is a validated instrument consisting of 36 questions for measuring quality of life in patients with gastrointestinal disorders including fistula-in-ano. METHODS: All patients who underwent successful surgical treatment for recurrent fistula-in-ano over a period of 12 months were prospectively analysed using the GIQLI preoperatively and after a minimum of 18 months (mean, 24; range, 18-30) after complete cure following surgery. The difference in the QOL scores were analysed using Wilcoxon rank test. RESULTS: In the 21 patients recruited for the study there was a significant (P < 0.01) difference between the average preoperative (97.02) and postoperative (116.14) GIQLI scores. Of all the areas assessed by the GIQLI questionnaire, greater statistical significance was seen in areas of emotions (P < 0.01), social integration (P < 0.01) and effects of treatment (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent fistula-in-ano significantly affects the patients' QOL, and also, successful surgery results in significantly improved long-term QOL. This improvement shows the need for those patients with fistula-in-ano to be subjected to further surgery despite the possible risk of anal incontinence.

Long-term quality of life in patients with Crohn's disease and perianal fistulas: influence of fecal diversion.

PURPOSE: Symptomatic perianal fistulas impair quality of life in patients with Crohn's disease. Fecal diversion improves symptoms but may impair quality of life. This study was designed to compare long-term quality of life in patients with Crohn's disease with symptomatic perianal fistulas who were treated with or without fecal diversion. METHODS: From 1996 to 2002, perianal fistulas were treated in 116 patients with Crohn's disease. A questionnaire, including four quality of life instruments, was mailed to each patient (Short-Form General Health Survey, Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index, Cleveland Global Quality of Life Score, Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire). RESULTS: Questionnaires were returned by 77 of 116 patients (66 percent). Thirty-four of these patients had undergone fecal diversion, whereas 43 had not. Median follow-up was 49 (range, 18-97) months in diverted and 44 (range, 14-98) months in undiverted patients (not significant). In the diverted group, 44 percent complained of Crohn's disease-related symptoms, which was less compared with 79 percent in undiverted patients (P < 0.05). Diverted patients achieved 68 +/- 1 percent of the maximum possible score on the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index compared with 60 +/- 2 percent in undiverted patients (mean +/- standard error of the mean; P < 0.001); diverted patients scored better on the subscale "gastrointestinal symptoms" of the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (81 +/- 1 percent vs. 67 +/- 2 percent; P < 0.001). There was no difference in the Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire between diverted and undiverted patients except for the subscale "bowel function" (91 +/- 2 percent vs. 76 +/- 2 percent; P < 0.0001). No difference in quality of life was detected by the Short-Form General Health Survey and Cleveland Global Quality of Life Score. CONCLUSIONS: In the investigated population of patients with Crohn's disease, quality of life seems to be similar or potentially superior in diverted patients suffering from perianal fistulas compared with undiverted patients. A diverting stoma, therefore, may improve quality of life in patients with severe perianal Crohn's disease.

Mental health screening in women with genital tract fistulae.

There is little information regarding the mental health status of women with genital tract fistulae in developing countries. The aim of this prospective observational study was to screen women at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh (December 2003 to June 2004), and Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, Ethiopia (June to July 2004), with genital tract fistula for mental health dysfunction. Women presenting to the above institutions were screened using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) prior to fistula surgery. As the women were illiterate, the questionnaire was completed with the assistance of a medical officer, nurse or interpreter. The female staff members acted as controls. Sixty-eight women with fistulae and 28 controls completed the GHQ-28. Sixty-six of the 68 women with fistulae screened positive to probable mental health dysfunction compared with 9 of the 28 controls. We conclude that women with genital tract fistula are at high risk of mental health dysfunction. If the high rates of positive screening are confirmed on psychiatric evaluation, then the management of women with genital tract fistulas must include routine psychological/psychiatric assessment and treatment.