Manuel Ferrer-Márquez1, Natalia Espínola-Cortés2, Ángel Reina-Duarte2, José Granero-Molina3, Cayetano Fernández-Sola3, José Manuel Hernández-Padilla4. 1. Servicio de Cirugía General y Aparato Digestivo, hospital Torrecárdenas, Almería, España. Electronic address: manuferrer78@hotmail.com. 2. Servicio de Cirugía General y Aparato Digestivo, hospital Torrecárdenas, Almería, España. 3. Departamento de Enfermería, Fisioterapia y Medicina, Facultad de Fisioterapia, Enfermería y Ciencias de la Educación, Universidad de Almería, España; Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Temuco, Chile. 4. Departamento de Enfermería, Fisioterapia y Medicina, Facultad de Fisioterapia, Enfermería y Ciencias de la Educación, Universidad de Almería, España; Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Temuco, Chile; Adult, Child and Midwifery Department, School of Health and Education, Middlesex University, Londres, Reino Unido.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: In patients diagnosed with anal fistula, knowing the quality of life specifically related to the disease can help coloproctology specialists to choose the most appropriate therapeutic strategy for each case. The aim of our study is to analyzse and describe the factors related to the specific quality of life in a consecutive series of patients diagnosed with anal fistula. METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional study carried out from March 2015 to February 2017. All patients were assessed in the colorectal surgery unit of a hospital in southeast of Spain. After performing an initial anamnesis and a physical examination, patients diagnosed with anal fistula completed the Quality of Life in Ppatients with Anal Fistula Questionnaire (QoLAF-Q). This questionnaire specifically measures quality of life in people with anal fistula and its score range is the following: zero impact = 14 points, limited impact = 15 to 28 points, moderate impact = 29 to 42 points, high impact = 43 to 56 points, and very high impact = 57 to 70 points. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients were included. The median score obtained in the questionnaire for the sample studied was 34.00 (range=14-68). Statistically significant differences between patients with "primary anal fistula" (n=65) and "recurrent anal fistula" (n=15) were observed (mean rank=42.96 vs. mean rank=29.83, p=0.048). Furthermore, an inverse proportion (P=.016) between "time with clinical symptoms" and "impact on quality of life" was found (<6 months: mean rank = 45.55; 6-12 months: mean rank = 44.39; 1-2 years: mean rank = 37.83; 2-5 years: mean rank = 22; >5 years: mean rank = 19.00). There were no statistically significant differences (P=.149) between quality of life amongst patients diagnosed with complex (mean rank = 36.13) and simple fistulae (mean rank = 43.59). CONCLUSIONS: Anal fistulae exert moderate-high impact on patients' quality of life. "Shorter time experiencing clinical symptoms" and the "presence of primary fistula" are factors that can be associated with worse quality of life.
INTRODUCTION: In patients diagnosed with anal fistula, knowing the quality of life specifically related to the disease can help coloproctology specialists to choose the most appropriate therapeutic strategy for each case. The aim of our study is to analyzse and describe the factors related to the specific quality of life in a consecutive series of patients diagnosed with anal fistula. METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional study carried out from March 2015 to February 2017. All patients were assessed in the colorectal surgery unit of a hospital in southeast of Spain. After performing an initial anamnesis and a physical examination, patients diagnosed with anal fistula completed the Quality of Life in Ppatients with Anal Fistula Questionnaire (QoLAF-Q). This questionnaire specifically measures quality of life in people with anal fistula and its score range is the following: zero impact = 14 points, limited impact = 15 to 28 points, moderate impact = 29 to 42 points, high impact = 43 to 56 points, and very high impact = 57 to 70 points. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients were included. The median score obtained in the questionnaire for the sample studied was 34.00 (range=14-68). Statistically significant differences between patients with "primary anal fistula" (n=65) and "recurrent anal fistula" (n=15) were observed (mean rank=42.96 vs. mean rank=29.83, p=0.048). Furthermore, an inverse proportion (P=.016) between "time with clinical symptoms" and "impact on quality of life" was found (<6 months: mean rank = 45.55; 6-12 months: mean rank = 44.39; 1-2 years: mean rank = 37.83; 2-5 years: mean rank = 22; >5 years: mean rank = 19.00). There were no statistically significant differences (P=.149) between quality of life amongst patients diagnosed with complex (mean rank = 36.13) and simple fistulae (mean rank = 43.59). CONCLUSIONS: Anal fistulae exert moderate-high impact on patients' quality of life. "Shorter time experiencing clinical symptoms" and the "presence of primary fistula" are factors that can be associated with worse quality of life.
Authors: Nusrat Iqbal; Astrid J H M Machielsen; Stephanie O Breukink; Rebecca Woodcock; Gillian Kane; Laith Alrubaiy; Ugo Grossi; Merel L Kimman; Phil J Tozer Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2022-02-17 Impact factor: 3.440