Dietary choices of people with ostomies.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to collect data related to individual dietary recommendations and restrictions for people with ostomies.


METHODS
A descriptive survey was used that asked people about food choices/avoidances that occurred because of their ostomy.


METHODS
Subjects were members of the United Ostomy Association who had an ostomy and were living at home.


METHODS
A 14-item questionnaire was mailed to the United Ostomy Association membership (approximately 40,000 current members) in their quarterly newsletter.


RESULTS
Six hundred and four questionnaires were returned. The most frequent reason for ostomy surgery among the respondents was colon cancer (71%; n = 424), and the most common type of ostomy was a colostomy. The majority of respondents (88.4%) stated that they were not following a special diet because of the ostomy; 11.8% (n = 69) stated that they had modified their diet. Of the people who had modified their diet, 55% stated that they were using the special diet indefinitely and were adhering to it very well. More than half of the participants had received dietary instructions, provided mainly by a WOC nurse, at the time of surgery. The foods avoided because of the ostomy included fresh fruits, nuts, coconut, and vegetables such as corn, popcorn, cabbage, beans, and onions. The major problems reported were blockage and increased gas.


CONCLUSIONS
Many respondents reported problems with certain foods. Preoperative teaching and postoperative follow-up must include anticipatory guidance on food selection.
Floruta
C V
CV
Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
D003255:Consumer Organizations; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D010030:Ostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires