Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 30, 2026
Murine Ileocolic Bowel Resection with Primary Anastomosis
Published on: October 29, 2014
Impact of Surgery on Relationship Quality in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis and Their Partners
Jessica N Cohan1, Jessica Y Rhee, Emily Finlayson
11 Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies and Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 2 Section of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
Background:
Although social support is important for quality of life in patients undergoing surgery for ulcerative colitis, the impact of surgery on patient relationships is not known.
Objective:
We examined relationship parameters in patients with ulcerative colitis and their partners before and 6 months after surgery.
Design:
This was a prospective cohort in which we performed an exploratory analysis.
Settings:
Patients were enrolled from an academic medical center.
Patients:
Surgical patients with ulcerative colitis and their partners were invited to participate.
Interventions:
Patients underwent proctocolectomy in 1, 2, or 3 stages.
Main Outcome Measures:
We measured quality of life and sexual function in patients, as well as relationship quality, empathy, and sexual satisfaction in patients and partners before and 6 months after surgery using validated questionnaires.
Results:
The study sample consisted of 74 participants, including 37 patients (25 men and 12 women) and their opposite-sex partners. Quality of life improved significantly in male and female patients after surgery. Sexual function scores also improved after surgery in male and female patients; however, the changes reached statistical significance in male patients only. Sexual satisfaction scores improved significantly after surgery in female patients and their partners. There was little change in relationship quality or empathy after surgery, with the exception of slightly improved relationship quality reported by male partners. In general, patients and partners reported levels of relationship quality and empathy similar to normative populations.
Limitations:
This study included a small, highly selected sample.
Conclusions:
Male and female patients with ulcerative colitis have high-quality relationships that are not negatively affected by surgical treatment. Changes in sexual function do not necessarily coincide with changes in sexual satisfaction in this patient population. Future studies should evaluate the effect of high-quality relationships on surgical outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
01:25Peptic Ulcer Disease V: Surgical Management and Nursing Care
Surgical Interventions for Peptic Ulcer Disease
01:29Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
01:26Peptic Ulcer Disease IV: Management
The therapeutic approach involves ensuring adequate rest, implementing drug therapy, promoting smoking cessation, making dietary modifications, and emphasizing long-term follow-up care.
Pharmacological management
The prevailing therapy for peptic ulcers involves a combination of managing the patient's current...
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...