ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: this study examined the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and wellbeing of people in the Netherlands who had undergone ostomy surgery. AIMS: to assess how an ostomy population perceives their HRQoL and determine key stressors that influence HRQoL in this population. METHODS: a cross-sectional survey, including the City of Hope National Medical Center Quality of Life Questionnaire for patients with an ostomy and a Visual Analogue Scale measuring HRQoL, was used to evaluate postsurgical patients. FINDINGS: people with an ostomy in the Netherlands have a generally positive HRQoL, but this may be affected by peristomal skin irritation, experience of leakage on to the peristomal skin and whether their surgery was planned. CONCLUSIONS: access to specialist nurse support and products designed to prevent leakage and prevent skin irritation-two key drivers of HRQoL-may be able to maximise an individual's health status throughout their lifelong journey as a person with an ostomy.
