Quality of life in patients with chronic slow-transit constipation according to the PAC-QOL scale one year after surgical treatment: comparison with preoperative data and reference values

Aim: To assess the impact of surgical treatment on quality of life in patients with chronic slow transit constipation according to the PAC-QOL scale one year after surgery. Materials and Methods: PAC-QOL scores were studied in 107 patients with chronic slow-transit constipation (main group) before and one year after total colectomy (57), subtotal colectomy (29) and colectomy with low rectal resection (21). 70 patients were included into the reference group. Open surgery was performed in 70 (65.4%) patients, while laparoscopic access - in 37 (34.6%) patients. Results: Despite the long-term conservative treatment PAC-QOL scores for all subscales significantly exceeded the reference values in all patients before surgery (all p<0,05). After surgery PAC-QOL scores decreased to reference values and were statistically lower than preoperative values (all p<0.01): physical component - from 2.78±0.52 to 1.01±0.32; psychological component - from 1.90±0.48 to 0.83±0.41; warries and concerns - from 1.99±0.31 to 0.72±0.34; the satisfaction component - from 2.35±0.60 to 0.84±0.47; total PAC-QOL score - from 2.14±0.23 to 0.82±0.35. Conclusions: Surgical treatment – total or subtotal colectomy in patients with chronic slow-transit constipation resistant to conservative treatment provides a significant reduction of all PAC-QOL scores to reference values and provides full social and functional adaptation.