[Quality of life and impact of incontinence in male patients with prostate carcinoma after radical retropubic prostatectomy]

Abstract

Background: To explore the effect of an interdisciplinary training programme on quality of life and impact of incontinence in male patients with urinary incontinence after radical retropubic prostatectomy for cancer of the prostate.

Patients and methods: We conducted a controlled trial with two intervention groups. Both groups received an interdisciplinary training programme, with the first group (n=87) receiving the standard version, and the second group (n=72) receiving an additional tool 'BBS-trainer' to improve the perception of the pelvic floor muscles. Primary outcomes were quality of life (EORTC questionnaires) and impact of incontinence (modified questionnaire) evaluated up to six months after the treatment. The relationship between certain parameters such as incontinence was investigated.

Results: Mean age was 64 years; most of the participants were married and pensioned. Both groups improved significantly and to a relevant extent in most of the quality of life and incontinence variables during the three weeks of treatment, after six months they further improved significantly. Quality of life improved first, continence and impact on daily life followed. Some differences found between both groups refer to the time course.

Conclusions: There is strong interaction between quality of life, incontinence and impact of incontinence. The interdisciplinary training programme shows quickly strong effects on quality of life and impact factors. It therefore is advisable that men with incontinence symptoms after prostatectomy should be offered such a treatment in a specialized rehabilitation clinic.