Multinational survey on living with an ostomy: prevalence and impact of peristomal skin complications.

Background:
Peristomal skin complications (PSCs) impair life for people with an ostomy. Visual signs of PSCs include discolouration, but sensation symptoms like pain, itching, and burning are equally important and under-reported.

Aim:
To provide improved understanding of PSC prevalence and associated challenges in the communities of ostomy patients and ostomy care nurses.

Methods:
The Ostomy Life Study 2019 encompassed a patient survey (completed by 5187 people with an ostomy) and a nurse survey (completed by 328 ostomy care nurses).

Findings:
In total, 88% of patients experienced PSCs and 75% experienced PSC symptoms in the absence of discolouration. Eighty per cent of nurses considered ostomy-related issues to be the main reason for PSCs, and a correlation between PSC severity and number of nurse consultations was demonstrated.

Conclusion:
This study revealed a remarkably high PSC incidence in the absence of discolouration and highlighted direct consequences of having compromised skin and the health-economic consequences.