Health-related quality of life in patients treated for enterocutaneous fistula

BACKGROUND:: Patients with enterocutaneous fistulas undergo long intensive treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term health-related quality of life (HRQL) of these patients. METHODS:: Consecutive patients treated for enterocutaneous fistula between 1990 and 2005 were eligible for this retrospective study. The Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS), Short Form 36 (SF-36((R))) and the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire were used to measure HRQL. The SF-36((R)) was matched with results from healthy controls. Patients also gave information on concurrent medical illnesses. RESULTS:: Of 135 patients, 44 died, 14 were lost to follow-up and 12 refused to participate; of the remaining 65, 62 participated (response rate 81 per cent). HRQL was independent of patient characteristics during treatment. Scores for SF-36((R)) domains were lower than in their matched controls (P < 0.050). Concurrent medical illness (cancer, depression and gastrointestinal disease) significantly reduced HRQL (for example with a 40 per cent reduction in vitality). The median KPS score was 80, indicating that activities could be performed with effort and patients had some signs of disease. CONCLUSION:: HRQL is lower in patients treated for enterocutaneous fistula than in matched controls, particularly in those with concurrent medical illnesses. Patients treated successfully have normal independence in daily functioning. Copyright (c) 2008 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.