Validation of a stoma specific quality of life questionnaire in a sample of patients with colostomy or ileostomy.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine how socio-demographic and clinical variables affect QoL and to assess the validity of this 20-item scale in a sample of Italian subjects with colostomy, ileostomy and multiple stomata. METHOD:A cross-sectional multicentre survey was carried out in Italy between 2009 and 2010 in 73 Stoma Centres coordinated by the University of Padova. Patients aged 18 years old and above with a history of non-temporary stoma were included in the study. The Stoma Care QoL scale was measured and validated using a Rasch model. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were considered in the analyses. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty one patients were recruited for the study; mean age was 62, 58% were males, 72% had colostomy and 25% ileostomy; approximately 70% of patients had intestinal cancer requiring a stoma, 13% a complication, and 10% an inflammatory disease. No significant differences were observed throughout strata in the Stoma QoL index, except for geographical area, where subjects from South Italy showed a significantly lower index than subjects living in other parts of Italy (p<0.01). Colostomy and ileostomy patients reported very similar QoL. Cronbach's alpha for the Stoma QoL was 0.90 (95% CI 0.88-0.92). Rasch analysis supported the viability of the Stoma QoL questionnaire and showed acceptable goodness-of-fit. Three under-fitted items were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms the validity of the 20-item Stoma Care QoL questionnaire as a research tool for stoma patients but the number of items could be reduced. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.