Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life in Elderly Patients after Restorative Proctocolectomy for Ulcerative Colitis

Ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) has become the surgical procedure of choice for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). However, to date few studies have examined functional outcomes or quality of life (QOL) in elderly patients after pouch construction.

In December 2017, we sent questionnaires to 224 patients aged 65 years and older at the time who underwent an IPAA at our hospital between June 1987 and May 2015 regarding issues related to QOL and functional outcomes. Responders aged 65-69 years old were defined as the elderly group (EG), while those 70 years old and over comprised the super-EG (SEG).

The response rate was 60.7% (136/224); 70 patients were classified as EG, and 66 were classified as SEG. The SEG were older at the time of the IPAA and during the follow-up period (p < 0.01). The stool frequency per day was 8 times in both groups (p = 0.21). There was no significant difference between the EG and SEG with regard to daytime (53 vs. 56%, p = 0.73) or nighttime (65.7 vs. 53%, p = 0.16) soiling. There was also no difference in the exacerbation of daytime or nighttime soiling compared to the first year after the operation (daytime 5.7 vs. 12.1%, p = 0.23; nighttime 7.1 vs. 9.1%, p = 0.76). QOL was evaluated using the modified fecal incontinence QOL (mFIQL) scale, with no significant difference between the EG and SEG (27 vs. 31 points). Since both groups had mFIQL scores <50, QOL was considered to be maintained.

In our analysis of elderly patients in the long-term period following surgery for UC, some noted fecal soiling, though QOL was largely maintained, and there were no serious effects on daily life.