Quality Of Life In Young Men After Radical Prostatectomy

Main Category: Prostate / Prostate Cancer
Also Included In: Urology / Nephrology;  Men's health;  Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 18 Jun 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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UroToday.com- According to the journal Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases in an online report by Dr. Wright and collaborators one year after radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer (CaP) younger men have similar or better urinary and sexual function compared to older men. The researchers used the CaPSURE longitudinal observational database for men with CaP to perform the study. Men diagnosed with CaP between 1999 and 2003 that underwent RP and completed an HRQOL questionnaire before and 1 year post surgery were included. The baseline and follow-up questionnaire compliance is 77%. Men were stratified by age <55, 55-64, and >65. Demographic, clinical and pathologic data were collected. Urinary and sexual function and bother were measure using the UCLA CaP Index (PCI).

The study cohort consisted of 1,143 men with a mean age of 61.7 years with 17% in the young, 46% in the middle and 37% in the older age groups. There was no difference in baseline urinary function among the age groups, but older men had worse urinary bother. One year after RP younger men had significantly better urinary function and bother scores than the >65 year old men. The youngest men also had fewer baselines to post-RP change in urinary function.

Younger men had superior baseline sexual function and bother scores and better post-RP scores as well. No age group difference was found in mean sexual bother scores one-year post-RP, yet the mean decline in bother was statistically greater for the younger men than for the older two groups.

Older age predicted for post-RP urinary function, bother and sexual function. Men with greater than 3 co-morbidities, and those not in a relationship scored worse on the urinary function scale. Nerve-sparing RP and use of sexual aids were associated with better sexual function. In the logistic model men >65 years had a 30% increased risk of severe worsening of urinary bother compared to those under 55. Men who had a nerve-sparing RP were less likely to experience a severe decline in urinary function than those who underwent non nerve-sparing RP.

J L Wright, D W Lin, J E Cowan, P R Carroll and M S Litwin

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases. ePub, May 22, 2007 doi:10.1038/sj.pcan.4500980

Reported by UroToday.com Contributing Editor Christopher P. Evans, M.D.

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