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. 2025 Jun 10;43(1):370.
doi: 10.1007/s00345-025-05726-x.

Impact of transurethral resection of bladder tumors on sexual function and quality of life using ePROMs in patients with bladder cancer- a prospective cohort study

H S Menold  1 , B Gruene  2 , J Koenig  3 , M Lenhart  2 , F Waldbillig  2 , K F Kowalewski  2   4   5 , M S Michel  2 , M C Kriegmair  2   6 , M Neuberger #  2 , F Wessels #  2
Affiliations

Impact of transurethral resection of bladder tumors on sexual function and quality of life using ePROMs in patients with bladder cancer- a prospective cohort study

H S Menold et al. World J Urol. .

Abstract

Introduction: The impact of transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) on patients' quality of life (QoL) and sexual function is underrepresented in the literature. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate sexual function and QoL following TURBT, using electronic patient reported outcome questionnaires (ePROMs).

Methods: Patients undergoing TURBT were surveyed using a digital ePROM system (Heartbeat Medical). Sexual function and QoL were assessed using the Male/Female LUTS Sexual Function module (ICIQ-MLUTSsex/FLUTSsex) at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively and the EORTC QLQ-NMIBC 24. Linear mixed-effects models were used to identify influencing factors, adjusting for baseline. Repeated measures ANOVA tested differences in domain scores over time.

Results: 197 patients completed the survey, of whom 77% (n = 151) were men. Based on the ICIQ-MLUTSsex sexual function was significantly impaired at 3, 6 and 12-months postoperatively compared to baseline (p = 0.005; p = 0.004; p = 0.017). Age was the strongest factor for reduced male sexual function (ICIQ-MLUTSsex and QLQ-NMIBC24: p < 0.001). Subdomain analysis revealed negative effects on ejaculation (p = 0.044) and urinary symptoms (p = 0.031) up to 6 months. No differences were observed for the female population.

Conclusion: TURBT may result in long-term impairment of sexual function in male patients, whereas no such effect was observed in female patients within this cohort.

Keywords: Bladder cancer; urinary bladder neoplasms; Patient-reported outcome measurements; Quality of life; Sexual function; TURB.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Statement of ethics: This study was approved by the local ethical committee (2018–585 N-MA) and was performed in accordance with the European general data protection regulation. Patients gave informed consent prior to inclusion. Consent to participate: All authors drafted the work or revised it critically for important intellectual content. All authors approved the version to be published and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. Conflict of interest: KF Kowalewski would like to disclose that he is supported by Pfizer, Bayer and Janssen outside of the submitted work. F Wessels would like to disclose that he has an advisory role for Adon health and Janssen outside of the submitted work. M Neuberger reports lecturer activities for and honoraria from Janssen outside of the submitted work. The other authors have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
(A) Sexual function using the ICIQ sub domains for men. (B)Sexual function using the ICIQ sub domains for women. *higher scores meaning more (severe) problems for each domain, ns = not significant
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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