Predictors for quality of life of bladder cancer patients with ileal conduit: A cross-sectional survey

Purpose: To assess quality of life (QOL) and its influencing factors of bladder cancer patients after ileal conduit. Methods: From January 2012 to December 2013, a cross-sectional survey with questionnaires was performed in West China hospital, in which the effect of patient characteristics on their QOL was evaluated, and then the correlation of stomal self-management, social support and QOL of the patients were also explored. Results: A total of 188 patients were included. Poor sexual life satisfaction was common among responders. There was a positive correlation between QOL and social support as well as the stomal self management (all p < 0.002). Additionally, the patients who were female, aged less than 60, participated in work, family income more than 4000 per month, a longer postoperative period, and without any stomal complications (all p < 0.05) would have a better QOL. Conclusions: The overall QOL of the patients was good except the satisfaction with sexual life. The better the stomal self-management and social support, the better the QOL. Personalized nursing care and health guidance should be provided to the patients, so as to improve their QOL and promote their health. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.