BACKGROUND: Prevalence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease has risen significantly in Puerto Ricans resulting in a considerable increase in surgery. Many IBD patients will require a temporary or permanent ostomy, causing anxiety and fear. Little is known about the influence of ethnic/cultural attitudes on the impact of a stoma on body image and intimacy. METHODS: Adult Puerto Ricans who had an ostomy as part of surgery for IBD were recruited during routine clinic visits. After informed consent, they completed the Stoma Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaire. This survey developed by Prieto et al has been translated and validated in Spanish. It has 20 questions and is self-completed. Score ranges from 1 to 4 per question; higher scores reflect better QoL. Demographics, diagnosis, duration, type and timing (urgent versus elective) of ostomy were charted. Data was analyzed using frequency distribution for categorical variables and summary measures for continuous variables. T-test and one-way ANOVA, followed by a Tukey post hoc test were used to determine group differences. STATA v.12.0 was used. The study was approved by the MSC IRB. RESULTS: Of 102 consented subjects, 95 completed the questionnaire. 58.5% were male. Mean age was 41.3 + 14.3 (19-78). 41 had Crohn's disease; 68 had an ileostomy and 22 a colostomy. Mean time with an ostomy was 39.36 + 60.88 months (0.5-312). Mean total score was 54.46 + 15.12. There was no association between final score and age, marital status, having children, emergency surgery, IBD diagnosis or type of ostomy. Having an ostomy for more than 40 months was significantly associated with a higher QoL (59.0 vs 50.7, P<0.05). Males had significantly better scores than females (59.94 vs 50.23, P=0.0019). Factors related to an ostomy that were of concern to most (over 60%) were separation of the wafer/bag, identification of the nearest restroom, odor from the bag and needing a rest during the day. Loss of sexual attraction was identified in 48% of respondents. Disgust over own body, being with other people, meeting new people, and fear of close physical contact like dancing were identified in less than 30%. However, when comparing individual question responses of women with men, we found that women had significantly lower scores in items about locating the nearest restroom, limitations imposed on choice of clothes, loss of sexual attraction, disgust with own body, and spending the night away. CONCLUSION(S): Findings in our Hispanic population were similar to those published for other groups, with Stoma QoL mean score in the range previously reported. Our findings suggest adaptation over time to the stoma. Concerns were mainly related to the function of the stoma. This suggests that early adequate training in the care of the stoma, and advanced methodic planning when going out may enhance stoma-related QoL and shorten the adaptation period. Lower QoL in females associated to body image and social interactions may represent an opportunity for a gender-focused early motivational and educational intervention. Better strategies are needed to improve the adaptation to life with a stoma in patients with IBD.