PHYSICAL HEALTH-STATUS IN YOUNG SUBJECTS AFTER COLECTOMY - AN APPLICATION OF THE ROY MODEL

The aim of this study was to describe the long-term physical health st atus after colectomy in 30 young subjects with ulcerative colitis, 11 of whom had ileostomies. The subjects, aged between 14 and 31 years of age, were assessed post-operatively for their physical health status. In assessing physiological adaptation in these subjects four basic ne eds were the foci: nutrition, elimination, activity and rest, and prot ection. Adaptation problems related to nutrition, elimination, activit y/rest and protection were found in four, 17, 17 and three subjects re spectively. Nine out of 30 had pain that influenced their daily life. Six out of 30 subjects had no adaptation problems at all. Nineteen sub jects found their health to be 'excellent' or 'good' despite the adapt ation problems reported.