Coloplast Study Shows Frequency of Skin Disorders for Ostomy Clients
HONG KONG — A new study conducted in association with Coloplast reveals that almost half of all people living with a permanent stoma have a skin disorder that could be avoided by regular visits to a specialist nurse. These disorders cause significant discomfort and reduce the quality of life for the affected individual.
The results of the OstomySkinStudy, presented at the biennial congress of the World Council of Enterostomal Therapists (WCET) in Hong Kong on July 2-6, indicated that 45 percent of the participants had skin disorders around their stoma. Surprisingly, many of these people did not realize they had a skin disorder, and more than 80 percent had not sought help from their physician or stoma-care nurse. Furthermore, some patients did not recognize their condition even when specialized physicians diagnosed their skin disorder as severe.
The study was performed by stoma care nurses and physicians.
Skin disorders are a common problem for patients living with an ostomy. The study showed that when waste contacts the skin as it leaves the stoma, a skin disorder may occur.
"This important bench-marking study is based on a representative sample of patients and shows the scope of ostomy care to improve the lives of many patient," said Dr. Gregor Jemec, chairman of the department of Dermatology at Roskilde University Hospital, Denmark, and study supervisor.
Stoma-care nurses who examined patients in the OstomySkinStudy recommend regular, annual follow-up visits for all people living with ostomies at their local stoma care clinic to help treat skin disorders. In Western countries, it is estimated that 1 out of 1,000 people are living with a stoma.
Source: Coloplast A/S
This article originally appeared in the July 2006 issue of HME Business.