The economic burden of stomas in the UK: a retrospective observational study of health records and hospital encounters.

Background: Stomas divert waste from the small intestine (ileostomy), large intestine (colostomy) or ureters (urostomy), and complications are common.

Aims: This study evaluated healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU) and costs of stomas from a UK perspective.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of adults with new stomas (New Stoma Group) or new/existing stomas and >6 months of follow-up (Established Stoma Group) using health records linked with hospital encounters (January 2009-December 2018).