[Sexual function after radical prostatectomy does not affect global patient satisfaction].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the quality of life after retropubic radical prostatectomy (RP) and its impact on global patient satisfaction concerning the treatment received.


METHODS
142 questionnaires were sent to patients treated for a localized prostate cancer by RP alone, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The questionnaire was the validated French version of the "UCLA-Prostate Cancer Index". A question concerning global patient satisfaction with treatment was added.


RESULTS
102 questionnaires were returned and analysed. The mean age of the patients at the time of RP was 63.8 years and the mean follow-up was 48 months. Evaluation of global satisfaction showed that 35/102 (343%) patients were very satisfied, 45/102 (44.1%) were satisfied, 15/102 had no opinion, 4/102 (3.9%) were dissatisfied and 3/102 (29%) were very dissatisfied. General quality of life scores ranged from 72 to 87 on a scale from 1 to 100 (where 100 corresponds to the best quality of life). For specific quality of life, the mean scores for sexual function and dysfunction were 27.5 and 25.1, respectively. The mean scores for urinary function and dysfunction were 72.5 and 67.8, respectively. Urinary function scores and seven of the nine general quality of life items were significantly correlated with better global patient satisfaction, but sexual function was not related to global satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Although sexual function is markedly altered after RP, it does not affect global patient satisfaction with the treatment received. Urinary function and general quality of life are significantly correlated with global satisfaction.
Descazeaud
Aurélien
A
Service d'Urologie, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France. aureliendescazeaud@hotmail.com
Chaskalovic
Joël
J
Debré
Bernard
B
Zerbib
Marc
M
Peyromaure
Michaël
M
D000368:Aged; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires