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Sexual Function in Patients with Stoma and its Consideration Among Their Caregivers: A Cross-Sectional Study

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Abstract

Sexual function is a paramount issue in patients with stoma, but it is a problem often underestimated by physicians and caregivers. This study aimed to investigate the difference between patient expectations and the consideration of patients sexual function by caregivers. This multicentric study consisted of two surveys addressed to patients with stoma and to stomatherapists, between March 1st and May 31st 2012. The surveys were distributed among all Italian Regions. A total of 457 valid surveys from patients with stoma were included. The 40% of patients had a definitive colostomy. The 85% of cases referred a good health status and 71% was autonomous in the ostomy management. Sexual activity was defined “important” in 80% and 68% patients before and after the operation, respectively. The presence of the ostomy influenced sexual activity in 22.5% patients. This study demonstrated the major issues of patients with stoma about sexual function and the difficulty and embarrassment of caregivers in talking about it with their patients.

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Funding

This study was supported by Hollister® IT.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Asti, Italy

    Carla Saracco

  2. Teramo, Italy

    Gabriele Rastelli

  3. Ostomy and Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Centre, S. Maria Della Misericordia Hospital, Rovigo, Italy

    Gabriele Roveron

  4. Department of Surgery, Unit of General Surgery and Polytrauma, San Carlo Borromeo Hospital, Via Pio II n. 3, 20153, Milan, Italy

    Francesco Ferrara

Authors
  1. Carla Saracco
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  2. Gabriele Rastelli
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  3. Gabriele Roveron
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  4. Francesco Ferrara
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Consortia

the Italian Association of Stoma Care Operators (AIOSS – Associazione Italiana Operatori Sanitari Stomaterapia)

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Francesco Ferrara.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in this study involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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For this type of study formal consent was obtained from all participants.

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Saracco, C., Rastelli, G., Roveron, G. et al. Sexual Function in Patients with Stoma and its Consideration Among Their Caregivers: A Cross-Sectional Study. Sex Disabil 37, 415–427 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-019-09574-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-019-09574-7

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