State Anxiety Levels and Predictors of Stoma-Related Concerns at Discharge among Patients with a Stoma.

Objective: To evaluate the state anxiety levels and concerns expressed by patients with a stoma at hospital discharge and identify predictors.

Methods: The investigators recruited 136 patients with a stoma who were discharged from the hospital between March and December 2021. Participants completed the demographic questionnaire, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory state anxiety subscale (STAI-S), and questions about stoma-related concerns. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, independent-sample t test, and analysis of variance. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify the significant predictors of STAI-S score.

Results: The mean STAI-S score of all patients was 44.75 ± 9.53 at discharge, and approximately 84.5% consistently experienced stoma-related concerns. Stoma status, cause of stoma, marital status, stoma self-care ability, and patients' thoughts on stoma care self-efficacy were all significant predictors of anxiety levels. Patients' primary concerns at discharge related to the sufficiency of stoma care training, stool leakage, stoma bag puncture while sleeping, touching the stoma region, and the appearance of the stoma.

Conclusions: Patients with a stoma experience moderate anxiety and significant concerns at discharge; if left unaddressed, patients may be prematurely discharged with high anxiety. Healthcare providers should pay attention to at-risk patients: those with permanent stomas, who have undergone colorectal cancer surgery, who are single, who believe their stoma care self-efficacy is insufficient, and who primarily rely on others for stoma care. Clinicians should assess anxiety levels and concerns of stoma patients before discharge and refer patients for psychological counseling as needed.