LIFE SATISFACTION IN PATIENTS WITH CONTINENT VERSUS INCONTINENT URINARY-DIVERSION

To investigate quality of life and health in patients with incontinent and continent urinary diversions, in correlation with the initial dia gnosis, diversion-related symptoms, psychological status and employmen t status. 81 patients (64% male and 36% female) with a mean age of 55 (18-65 years) were included in this retrospective study. A total of 27 had an incontinent urinary diversion (group A) and 54 a continent div ersion (group B). The initial diagnosis was malignant tumor in 75% (n= 61) and non-tumor disease in 25% (n = 20). A structured interview and psychometric instruments assessing quality of life, somatic and psycho logical symptoms were carried out and analyzed. Patients with non-tumo r disease, a continent reservoir and employment tended to have the hig hest level of quality of life. The higher the number and severity of p sychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety, the lower the le vel of global satisfaction with life, health and urinary diversion, an d vice versa. No difference was seen between group A and B concerning diversion-related symptoms, global satisfaction with life and health, and sociodemographic data. The decision for a continent versus an inco ntinent urinary diversion must consider not only the medical factors o f each individual patient, but also the initial diagnosis, psychologic al condition and employment status.