A prospective evaluation of health-related quality of life after ileal pouch anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis

OBJECTIVES: The ileal pouch anal anastomosis is a safe and effective proced ure but is also associated with pouchitis, small bowel obstruction, and inc ontinence. We prospectively evaluated the health-related quality of life us ing generic and disease-specific measures in a cohort of patients with ulce rative colitis undergoing ileal pouch anal anastomosis. METHODS: Health-related quality of life measures included the Time Trade-of f, Rating Form of LED Patient Concerns, and the Short-Form 36. Assessments occurred preoperatively and 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Time Trade-off scores had significantly improved at the 1-month po stoperative assessment and approached perfect health at the 12-month postop erative assessment. The Rating Form of IBD Patient Concerns revealed a sign ificant reduction in patient concerns at 1 month, and this difference persi sted at 6 and 12 months. Seven of the eight subscales of the Short-Form 36 revealed improved health-related quality of life postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Health-related quality of life improved after ileal pouch anal anastomosis when assessed with both generic and disease-specific measures. Improvements were observed as early as 1 month postoperatively. These resu lts may guide patients and physicians as they consider and prepare for the impact of ileal pouch anal anastomosis. (C) 2001 by Am. Cell. of Gastroente rology.