A longitudinal study of long-term quality of life after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.

Background: There is a lack of longitudinal long-term studies of quality of life (QOL) after surgery with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis, where cohorts of patients are used as their own controls.

Methods: Forty ulcerative colitis patients who had undergone IPAA were prospectively assessed while they had a temporary ileostomy, and at a median of 18 months and 7 years after ileostomy closure. QOL was measured with the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale and the Well-Being Profile.