Evaluation of psychiatric illness in Iranian stoma patients.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to assess the nonpsychotic psychiatric disorders of stoma patients in Iran.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, patients referred to the Iranian Ostomy Association from 2005 to 2006 filled the 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) in Farsi as a screening instrument to identify cases of nonpsychotic psychiatric morbidity.


RESULTS
A total of 155 patients participated in the study, of whom 79 (51%) were female and 76 (49%) were male. Fifty-five percent of the patients (n=86) had psychiatric problems. The females' mean GHQ score was significantly higher than that of males (P=.001). Psychiatric disorder was significantly more frequent among patients with the following specifications: educational level of high school or lower (P=.001), mucosal hemorrhage of the ostomy (P=.03), stomal stenosis (P=.012), and history of psychiatric drug consumption (P=.000). GHQ score decreased as stoma age increased (P=.032; r=-.177).


CONCLUSIONS
Similar to other complications, psychiatric problems are prevalent in Iranian stoma patients. Our findings highlight the need for special support.
Mahjoubi
Bahar
B
Iran University of Medical Sciences and Health Care Services, Tehran, Iran. bahar1167@yahoo.com
Mohammadsadeghi
Homa
H
Mohammadipour
Mastoureh
M
Mirzaei
Rezvan
R
Moini
Reyhaneh
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003125:Colostomy / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy / Q000523:psychology*; D055809:Illness Behavior; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology