title: Living with the physical and mental consequences of an ostomy: a study among 1-10-year rectal cancer survivors from the population-based PROFILES registry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examined the physical and mental consequences of an ostomy among 1-10-year rectal cancer survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with rectal cancer diagnosed from 2000 to 2009, as registered in the population-based Eindhoven Cancer Registry, received a questionnaire on quality of life (QOL; EORTC QLQ-C30), disease-specific health status (EORTC QLQ-CR38), depression and anxiety (HADS), illness perceptions (Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire), and health care utilization; 76% (n = 1019) responded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 408 (43%) rectal cancer survivors had an ostomy at survey and they reported a statistically significant and clinically relevant lower physical, role, and social functioning, and global health status/QOL but fewer problems with constipation and diarrhea compared with those without an ostomy. Also, they had a significantly worse body image, more male sexual problems, and fewer gastrointestinal problems although these differences were not clinically relevant. No differences regarding the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression were found. Survivors with an ostomy believed that their illness have significantly more serious consequences, will last longer (clinically relevant), and were more concerned about their illness compared with those without an ostomy. Survivors with an ostomy visited their medical specialist, but not their general practitioner, significantly more often. Also, they more often received additional support after cancer treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rectal cancer survivors with an ostomy have a lower QOL, worse illness perceptions, and a higher health care consumption compared with those without an ostomy 1-10 years after diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Center of Research on Psychology in Somatic diseases, Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, The Netherlands; Comprehensive Cancer Centre South (CCCS), Eindhoven Cancer Registry, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Floortje
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mols
authors.forename: Valery
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lemmens
authors.forename: Koop
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bosscha
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: van den Broek
authors.forename: Melissa S Y
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Thong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001828:Body Image; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010030:Ostomy / Q000523:psychology*; D010146:Pain; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010465:Perception; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D012042:Registries; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: oncology; ostomy; quality of life; rectal cancer; stoma