Stoma location and ostomy-related quality of life among cancer survivors with ostomies: A pooled analysis

Introduction: We sought to explore how stoma location may affect self-care events and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in cancer survivors with ostomies. Methods: A pooled dataset was obtained from three multi-site studies that used the City of Hope Quality of Life-Ostomy questionnaire. Predicted means for HRQOL and individual items were generated adjusting for sex, ostomy type, and body mass index. Results: Among 607 cancer survivors, abdominal quadrant groups were: 138 (23%) upper left, 298 (49%) lower left, 51 (8%) upper right, and 120 (20%) lower right. Survivors with lower right side ostomies more frequently reported weight gain after ostomy surgery (p < 0.001). Stoma on the right side of the abdomen was associated with lower scores for issues with the skin surrounding the ostomy (p = 0.03) and satisfaction with appearance (p = 0.008). Discussion: Stoma location is associated with HRQOL and difficulties adjusting to the ostomy.