Concerns and quality of life before surgery and during the recovery period in patients with rectal cancer and an ostomy.
OBJECTIVE
Rectal cancer is the most common reason for a person to undergo ostomy surgery. The aim of this study was to assess concerns and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) before surgery and during the first 6 months following ostomy surgery in the presence of rectal cancer.


METHODS
The sample comprised 57 patients at a university hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden. Their median age was 66 years (range, 30-87); 35 men and 22 women participated in the study.


METHODS
Participants prospectively answered questionnaires preoperatively, and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Concerns were assessed using the rating form of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patient Concerns, and HRQOL was evaluated using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey. Results were compared with population norms.


RESULTS
Participants expressed concerns associated with developing cancer, being a burden on others, and related to the uncertain nature of disease. Health-related quality of life scores dropped significantly in 6 of 8 domains when preoperative scores were compared to those obtained 1 month postoperatively, but scores improved at 6 months. There were significant differences between preoperative study group scores and population norms on physical and emotional role function, social function, and for mental health domains. Significant differences persisted when population norms were compared to study group scores 6 months following surgery on all these domains except mental health. Participants identified good relations with significant others, social and leisure activities, psychological issues, and health as important for maintaining QOL. Obstacles to maintaining QOL included fatigue, pain, illness-induced limitations in life, and worries over what their new life would entail.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgical management of rectal cancer raises concerns and profoundly impairs QOL during the first several postoperative months.
Institute for Care and Health Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. eva.k.carlsson@vgregion.se
Eva
E
Carlsson
Ina
I
Berndtsson
Anne-Marie
AM
Hallén
Elisabet
E
Lindholm
Eva
E
Persson
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003125:Colostomy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013548:Sweden