Impact of superficial bladder cancer and transurethral resection on general health-related quality of life: an SF-36 survey.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the general health-related quality of life (GHQOL) of patients with superficial bladder cancer who underwent transurethral resection (TUR).


METHODS
We assessed the GHQOL a total of 178 times for 133 patients with superficial bladder cancer before multiple TURs. The GHQOL was assessed using the Medical Outcome Study Short-Form 36-item survey (SF-36). Ninety-three patients answered the questionnaire at the first TUR, 34 at the second TUR, 17 at the third TUR, and 34 at the fourth or later TUR.


RESULTS
Compared with age-matched and sex-matched Japanese norms, the general health perception was severely impaired in patients with superficial bladder cancer. Their mental health was also severely impaired at the first TUR, but gradually returned to normal as TUR was repeated. The scores of physical functioning, social functioning, and role-emotional demonstrated a nadir at the second or third TUR, and increased thereafter if TUR was repeated four or more times. Intravesical treatment for prevention of recurrence increased the score of bodily pain.


CONCLUSIONS
Although superficial bladder cancer is not frequently lethal, patients with this disease believed their general health was much impaired. Only two domains of bodily pain and vitality had no negative impact from this disease. As urologists, we should notice the considerable affect of superficial bladder cancer on the GHQOL of patients.
Yoshimura
Koji
K
Department of Urology, Kurashiki Central Hospital, Okayama, Japan. ky7527@kchnet.or.jp
Utsunomiya
Noriaki
N
Ichioka
Kentaro
K
Matsui
Yoshiyuki
Y
Terai
Akito
A
Arai
Yoichi
Y
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012086:Reoperation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology