Background/aims: Although fecal diversion is reported to improve the quality of life (QOL) of the patients with active perianal disease, the effect of the concomitant abdominal surgery was not well studied. The aim of this study was to investigate factors that impair postoperative QOL of patients with Crohn's disease.
Methodology: A SF-36v2 questionnaire was mailed to patients who underwent abdominal operation between January 2001 and February 2007. Patients were also asked about the medical therapy they were receiving.
Results: Data from 50 patients were analyzed. Univariate analyses revealed that patients with active perianal disease had lower scores for role physical, bodily pain and social functioning than did patients without it. Social functioning and role emotional scores were lower in patients older than 40 years than in those younger. The physical component summary score was significantly affected in patients with active perianal disease. Fecal diversion had no effect on QOL after abdominal surgery for Crohn's disease. Multivariate analysis showed that the physical component summary score was significantly lower in patients with active perianal disease than in patients without it.
Conclusions: Active perianal disease is an important factor that impairs QOL in patients who have undergone surgery for intestinal Crohn's disease.