Impact of Surgery on Relationship Quality in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis and Their Partners.
BACKGROUND
Although social support is important for quality of life in patients undergoing surgery for ulcerative colitis, the impact of surgery on patient relationships is not known.


OBJECTIVE
We examined relationship parameters in patients with ulcerative colitis and their partners before and 6 months after surgery.


DESIGN
This was a prospective cohort in which we performed an exploratory analysis.


SETTINGS
Patients were enrolled from an academic medical center.


PATIENTS
Surgical patients with ulcerative colitis and their partners were invited to participate.


INTERVENTIONS
Patients underwent proctocolectomy in 1, 2, or 3 stages.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
We measured quality of life and sexual function in patients, as well as relationship quality, empathy, and sexual satisfaction in patients and partners before and 6 months after surgery using validated questionnaires.


RESULTS
The study sample consisted of 74 participants, including 37 patients (25 men and 12 women) and their opposite-sex partners. Quality of life improved significantly in male and female patients after surgery. Sexual function scores also improved after surgery in male and female patients; however, the changes reached statistical significance in male patients only. Sexual satisfaction scores improved significantly after surgery in female patients and their partners. There was little change in relationship quality or empathy after surgery, with the exception of slightly improved relationship quality reported by male partners. In general, patients and partners reported levels of relationship quality and empathy similar to normative populations.


LIMITATIONS
This study included a small, highly selected sample.


CONCLUSIONS
Male and female patients with ulcerative colitis have high-quality relationships that are not negatively affected by surgical treatment. Changes in sexual function do not necessarily coincide with changes in sexual satisfaction in this patient population. Future studies should evaluate the effect of high-quality relationships on surgical outcomes.