Factors influencing the incidence of peristomal skin complications: evidence from a multinational survey on living with a stoma

Leakage of stomal effluents underneath the baseplate or inappropriate removal of stoma appliances can cause peristomal skin complications (PSCs), which are known to have many negative implications for people with a stoma. While numerous studies have examined the causes of PSCs, less is known about what drives the risk of a PSC developing. To address this gap in knowledge, the largest multinational survey to date was conducted, including 4235 people with a stoma on four continents and in 13 countries. The survey revealed that, besides leakage, other factors, such as age, gender, time since surgery and type of stoma, also drive the risk of PSCs. The survey also revealed that having a PSC resulted in greater use of stoma accessories and more frequent contact with health professionals, increasing overall healthcare costs. Collectively, the survey results reveal a need for more awareness on the risk factors for PSCs, which subsequently could have a positive effect on healthcare spending.