Health-related quality of life in patients with urostomies

To assess health-related quality of life in patients with urothelial (bladder) cancer 6 months following radical cystectomy with construction of a urostomy.

The target sample was 54 patients with urothelial cancer who underwent radical cystectomy with Bricker-type incontinent urinary diversion between December 2008 and December 2009; 37 out of 54 (68%) of potential respondents agreed to participate. Seven potential subjects died within the 6-month period and we were unable to locate 10 potential respondents.

The Stoma-Quality of Life was developed to be valid for measurement of 20 items that query the impact of the ostomy on the health-related quality of life and its impact on daily life. Scores were categorized as 70% to 100% (indicating good quality of life), 30% to 69% (indicating moderate quality of life), and 0 to 29% (indicating poor quality of life).

Subjects responded to the Stoma-Quality of Life questionnaire by telephone 6 months after urostomy surgery.

Thirty-five were ranked as having a good quality of life. The remaining 2 subjects had scores indicating moderate quality of life; no respondent was ranked as having a poor quality of life.

Health-related quality of life was ranked as good in 95% of a group of patients managed by radical cystectomy and Bricker ileal conduit construction and moderate in 5%. Based on these findings, we conclude that the Bricker-type incontinent urinary diversion remains a viable treatment option for bladder cancer that allows an acceptable health-related quality of life.