Related Experiment Videos
Health-related quality of life before and after gastrointestinal surgery
J V Räsänen1, M M Niskanen, P Miettinen
1Department of Surgery, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland.
Objective:
To assess the impact of surgical treatment on health-related quality of life (QoL) and its various dimensions in four common gastrointestinal diseases, to compare it with that of the general population, and to assess the relationship between the patient's and the surgeon's satisfaction.
Design:
Prospective, observational study.
Setting:
Tertiary care centre, Finland.
Patients:
131 patients, of whom 77 had cholecystectomy, 20 fundoplication, 20 incisional herniorrhaphy, 12 large bowel resection, and 2 construction of a stoma only because of unresectable colorectal cancer.
Interventions:
Routine operative treatment of four gastrointestinal diseases.
Main Outcome Measures:
QoL measured by a generic 15-dimensional instrument.
Results:
The health-related QoL improved postoperatively in the entire group. Discomfort, symptoms, and vitality were all reduced at 2 months, whereas bowel movements, eating, and usual activities had been restored at 12 months. The health related QoL was comparable with that of the general population at 12 months except for breathing and sleeping. The pattern of recovery varied among diagnostic subgroups, being most improved in patients operated on for biliary disease, those aged 60 years or younger, women and otherwise previously healthy patients. There was a close agreement between the patient's and the surgeon's opinion of outcome.
Conclusions:
Gastrointestinal surgery improves quality of life. Separating a generic health-related QoL measure into dimensions allows a more appropriate estimation of quality of life than a single index score. Because some dimensions were made worse soon after operation and some were restored slowly, a minimum 12-month follow-up may be needed to assess the effect of gastrointestinal surgery on health- related QoL.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System I: Subjective Data
Health History
The initial step in assessing the GI system is obtaining a comprehensive health history. This includes inquiring about the patient's history or presence of problems related to...
01:29Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
01:29Appendicitis-II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
Diagnosing Appendicitis
It requires a multifaceted approach, starting with a detailed physical examination to pinpoint the location and nature of the pain and identify any associated symptoms. Laboratory tests play a crucial role. A complete Blood Count (CBC) typically reveals leukocytosis (an increased number of...
01:25Peptic Ulcer Disease V: Surgical Management and Nursing Care
Surgical Interventions for Peptic Ulcer Disease
01:26Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...