Anxiety and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients undergoing active surveillance of prostate cancer in an Australian centre

Abstract

Objective: To assess anxiety, health-related quality of life (HRQL) and understanding of active surveillance (AS) in a cohort of patients enrolled in AS of prostate cancer in an Australian setting.

Patients and methods: Survey of 61 men currently enrolled in AS for prostate cancer, which included validated measures of sexual function using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), voiding using the International Prostate Symptom Severity Score (IPSS) and the Memorial Anxiety Scale for Prostate Cancer (MAX-PC), a measure of prostate cancer specific anxiety. Three novel questions to assess patients' Understanding of AS (UAS). IIEF-5 and IPSS scores obtained through the present survey were compared with patients' scores at initiation of AS.

Results: In all, 47 of 61 (77%) patients responded to the survey. There was no significant difference in patients' IIEF-5 and IPSS scores at commencement of AS compared with the survey results. Our patients' on AS MAX-PC scores were consistent with other published cohorts and did not suggest high rates of clinically significant anxiety amongst this cohort. Most (89%) of the patients' responses to the UAS indicated a correct understanding of AS.

Conclusion: Our patients on AS maintained their HRQL with low levels of anxiety, which did not differ from those reported in other groups of men with prostate cancer and most had an appropriate understanding of AS. This study represents one of the first Australasian investigations on HRQL and anxiety in men on AS of prostate cancer.

Keywords: active surveillance; anxiety; prostate cancer; quality of life.