Urinary function and bother after radical prostatectomy or radiation for prostate cancer: a longitudinal, multivariate quality of life analysis from the Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urologic Research Endeavor

Abstract

Purpose: We measure the effect of time on urinary function and bother during the first 2 years following treatment for early stage prostate cancer.

Materials and methods: We studied urinary function and bother in 564 men recently diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer and treated with radiotherapy or radical prostatectomy with or without nerve sparing. Outcomes were assessed with the UCLA Prostate Cancer Index, which is a validated, health related quality of life instrument that includes these 2 domains. To minimize the influence of other factors we adjusted for age, co-morbidity, general health, pad use, anticholinergics or procedures for urethral stricture. All subjects were drawn from the Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urologic Research Endeavor (CaPSURE), which is a national longitudinal database.

Results: Urinary function improved with time during the first year after surgery but remained fairly constant during year 2. Urinary function remained stable throughout the 2 years after radiation. Urinary bother was worse after radiation throughout the 2 years, although it improved markedly by the end of year 1. Age, ethnicity and co-morbidity did not impact urinary function or bother but being married did have an advantage.

Conclusions: Patients undergoing surgery or radiation showed different longitudinal profiles of urinary function and bother during the first 2 years after treatment.