title: Quality of life of patients undergoing surgery for obstructed defecation syndrome: A before-after study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) is the inability to evacuate the contents of the rectum. It is a common problem with both social and psychological effects on a patient's quality of life. Surgery has proven effective and safe in reducing symptoms, with subsequent improvement of quality of life (QOL).
  
  
  METHODS
  This study evaluates QOL both before and after surgery (three months) in a series of 96 patients. The Short Form-12 (SF-12) and ODS questionnaires were scored and pain during voiding was assessed by means of the Numerical Rating Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  92 consecutive patients were studied. After three months, pain and ODS scores improved significantly. General QOL also improved significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More than three months from surgery might be necessary in order to obtain more useful information regarding the effects of surgery on both physical and mental health. However this study suggests the benefits are seen even in the early post-operative period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After three months general quality of life shows a improvement and hopefully these results will be sustained (or even improved) in the longer term.
authors.affiliation: General Surgery Unit, Fondazione Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 32, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: emanuela.racaniello@policlinico.mi.it.
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Racaniello
authors.affiliation: San Paolo Bachelor School of Nursing, San Paolo Teaching Hospital, Via Ovada, 26, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: stefano.terzoni@ao-sanpaolo.it.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Terzoni
authors.affiliation: Policlinico Bachelor School of Nursing, Fondazione Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 32, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: roberto.accardi@policlinico.mi.it.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Accardi
authors.affiliation: University of Regensburg, Germany. Electronic address: cristian.ricci.work@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Cristian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.affiliation: Istituto Clinico CittàStudi, Via Nicolò Jommelli, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: pboccasanta@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boccasanta
authors.affiliation: University of Milan, Via Ovada, 26, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: anne.destrebecq@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Destrebecq
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003248:Constipation / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D065187:Controlled Before-After Studies / Q000379:methods*; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013577:Syndrome; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anorectal disorders; Obstructed defecation syndrome; Quality of life; Scoring system