A prospective evaluation of health-related quality of life after ileal pouch anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis.
OBJECTIVE
The ileal pouch anal anastomosis is a safe and effective procedure but is also associated with pouchitis, small bowel obstruction, and incontinence. We prospectively evaluated the health-related quality of life using generic and disease-specific measures in a cohort of patients with ulcerative colitis undergoing ileal pouch anal anastomosis.


METHODS
Health-related quality of life measures included the Time Trade-off, Rating Form of IBD Patient Concerns, and the Short-Form 36. Assessments occurred preoperatively and 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.


RESULTS
Time Trade-off scores had significantly improved at the 1-month postoperative assessment and approached perfect health at the 12-month postoperative assessment. The Rating Form of IBD Patient Concerns revealed a significant reduction in patient concerns at 1 month, and this difference persisted at 6 and 12 months. Seven of the eight subscales of the Short-Form 36 revealed improved health-related quality of life postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
Health-related quality of life improved after ileal pouch anal anastomosis when assessed with both generic and disease-specific measures. Improvements were observed as early as 1 month postoperatively. These results may guide patients and physicians as they consider and prepare for the impact of ileal pouch anal anastomosis.
Muir
A J
AJ
Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
Edwards
L J
LJ
Sanders
L L
LL
Bollinger
R R
RR
Koruda
M J
MJ
Bachwich
D R
DR
Provenzale
D
D
D000328:Adult; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D016737:Proctocolectomy, Restorative; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D013997:Time Factors