Abstract
Background
Ostomies are being placed in 35 % of patients after colorectal cancer surgery. As decision-making regarding colorectal surgery is challenging in the older patients, it is important to have insight in the potential impact due to ostomies.
Methods
An internet-based survey was sent to all members with registered email addresses of the Dutch Ostomy Patient Association.
Results
The response rate was 49 %; 932 cases were included of whom 526 were aged <70 years old (“younger respondents”), 301 were aged between 70 and 79 years old (“the elderly”), and 105 were aged ≥80 years old (“oldest old”). Ostomy-related limitations were similar in the different age groups, just as uncertainty (8–10 %) and dependency (18–22 %) due to the ostomy. A reduced quality of life was experienced least in the oldest old group (24 % vs 37 % of the elderly and 46 % of the younger respondents, p < 0.001). Over time, a decrease of limitations and impact due to the ostomy was observed.
Conclusion
Older ostomates do not experience more limitations or psychosocial impact due to the ostomy compared to their younger counterparts. Over the years, impact becomes less distinct. Treatment decision-making is challenging in the older colorectal cancer patients but ostomy placement should not be withheld based on age alone.
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Acknowledgments
The authors thank Christel van Batenburg, policy officer from the Dutch Ostomy Association (Stomavereniging Nederland)—www.stomavereniging.nl—for her collaboration.
Authors contribution
N. M. Verweij study design, interpretation of data, and wrote the paper.
M.E. Hamaker study design, interpretation of data, revising and approved the final version.
D. D. E. Zimmerman revising and approved the final version.
Y.T. van Loon revising and approved the final version.
F. van den Bos revising and approved the final version.
A. Pronk revising and approved the final version.
I. H. M. Borel Rinkes revising and approved the final version.
A. H. W. Schiphorst study design, interpretation of data, revising and approved the final version.
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Financial support
This study was supported by the Aart Huisman Scholarschip for research in geriatric oncology and the Cornelis Visser Foundation.
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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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Verweij, N.M., Hamaker, M.E., Zimmerman, D.D.E. et al. The impact of an ostomy on older colorectal cancer patients: a cross-sectional survey. Int J Colorectal Dis 32, 89–94 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-016-2665-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-016-2665-8