Factors influencing health-related quality of life of those in the Netherlands living with an ostomy.

BACKGROUND

this study examined the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and wellbeing of people in the Netherlands who had undergone ostomy surgery.

AIMS

to assess how an ostomy population perceives their HRQoL and determine key stressors that influence HRQoL in this population.

METHODS

a cross-sectional survey, including the City of Hope National Medical Center Quality of Life Questionnaire for patients with an ostomy and a Visual Analogue Scale measuring HRQoL, was used to evaluate postsurgical patients.

FINDINGS

people with an ostomy in the Netherlands have a generally positive HRQoL, but this may be affected by peristomal skin irritation, experience of leakage on to the peristomal skin and whether their surgery was planned.

CONCLUSIONS

access to specialist nurse support and products designed to prevent leakage and prevent skin irritation-two key drivers of HRQoL-may be able to maximise an individual's health status throughout their lifelong journey as a person with an ostomy.