| Summary: | The aim of this study was to describe the long-term physical health status after colectomy in 30 young subjects with ulcerative colitis, 11 of whom had ileostomies. The subjects, aged between 14 and 31 years of age, were assessed post-operatively for their physical health status. In assessing physiological adaptation in these subjects four basic needs were the foci: nutrition, elimination, activity and rest, and protection. Adaptation problems related to nutrition, elimination, activity/rest and protection were found in four, 17, 17 and three subjects respectively. Nine out of 30 had pain that influenced their daily life. Six out of 30 subjects had no adaptation problems at all. Nineteen subjects found their health to be 'excellent' or 'good' despite the adaptation problems reported.
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