title: Skin problems in ostomy patients: a case-control study of risk factors.
abstract: Skin complications are frequent in ostomy patients and a number of risk factors have been suggested. The data on risk factors have, however, been documented mainly in single-centre studies and the actual importance of the suggested risk factors should therefore be verified in a group of ostomy patients broadly selected from the gene-ral population. All patients with permanent ostomies living in Roskilde County, Denmark, were invited to participate in the study. A total of 338 responded and 199 agreed to participate. Forty-five percent of all patients presented a skin problem. Less than half (43%) of patients with a skin problem were aware of the skin problems, and less than 1 in 5 (16%) had sought treatment for their skin problem. Ileostomies, ostomies with leakage and ostomies in patients with body mass index >30 were associated with skin problems. In conclusion, ileostomy, leakage and obesity predisposed patients to peristomal skin problems. Other suggested risk factors appear to be weak or insignificant. Patients under-report the presence of peristomal skin problems and therefore it is suggested that they need to be assessed by a professional on a routine basis in order to avoid or better manage peristomal skin complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Roskilde Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark.
authors.forename: Hanne
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nybaek
authors.forename: Dorte
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bang Knudsen
authors.forename: Troels
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nørgaard Laursen
authors.forename: Tonny
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karlsmark
authors.forename: Gregor B E
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Jemec
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D010030:Ostomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology*