Erectile and urinary dysfunction after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer in Quebec: a population-based study of 2415 men.
OBJECTIVE
To assess and quantify urinary and sexual function outcomes from a large scale cohort of Canadian men treated for localized prostate cancer.


METHODS
A self-administered survey focusing on erectile (ED) and urinary dysfunction (UD) was completed by 2415 of 4546 men (response rate 53.1%) treated with prostatectomy for prostate cancer in the Province of Quebec between 1988 and 1996. The time between treatment and survey completion ranged from 17 months to 8.5 years.


RESULTS
After prostatectomy, of 2227 men without ED before surgery, erections of adequate firmness for intercourse were reported by 25%. ED rate increased with age and ranged from 55% in men aged <60 years to 85% in men 75 years or older. Of all, 19.1% reported ED treatment. ED rate was significantly related to UD severity. Severe UD, quantified as urinary leakage exceeding one tablespoon, was reported by 6.6%. Severe UD rate ranged from 4% in men aged <60 years to 10% in men 75 years or older. Strictures were reported by 16.3% and were associated with a two-fold increase in severe UD rate (p<0.001). Finally, age and socioeconomic status represented important predictor variables in univariate and multivariate regression models.


CONCLUSIONS
ED rate of 75% and severe UD rate of 6.6% could be anticipated after RP. These outcomes are similar to unselected large scale, patient reported outcomes from the United States.
Karakiewicz
Pierre I
PI
Department of Surgery (Urology), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. pkarak@earthlink.net
Tanguay
Simon
S
Kattan
Michael W
MW
Elhilali
Mostafa M
MM
Aprikian
Armen G
AG
D000368:Aged; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011792:Quebec; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology*