title: Age difference between patient and partner is a predictive factor of potency rate following radical prostatectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the influence of partner age on postoperative erectile function in patients who underwent bilateral nerve sparing radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group was a cohort of 240 consecutive patients treated with radical prostatectomy with a minimum 1-year followup. None had received adjuvant therapy. Evaluation was done by questionnaires mailed to a third party. Potency was defined by erection sufficient for sexual intercourse with vaginal penetration. A total of 200 patients were evaluable.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The postoperative potency rate in 189 preoperatively sexually active patients was 59%. On univariate analysis patient age and the age difference between patient and partner were significantly associated with the potency rate following surgery, that is 60.8 and 6.8 years in the preserved potency group and 63.3 and 4.2 years in the impotent group (p <0.001 and p = 0.02, respectively). On multivariate analysis age difference was a predictive factor of postoperative potency independent of patient age (p = 0.008). Age difference was also an independent predictor of potency with and without aid (p = 0.037 and 0.002, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To our knowledge this is the first study to identify the influence of age difference between patient and partner on potency preservation following radical prostatectomy. Age difference was a significant predictive factor of maintaining postoperative potency independent of patient age. We suggest that partner age difference should be reported in radical prostatectomy outcomes series because it influences postoperative potency rates. It is a new prognostic factor that might help counseling patients preoperatively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Cochin Hospital, 27 Rue du Faubourg St. Jacques, 75014 Paris, France.
authors.forename: Aurélien
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Descazeaud
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Debré
authors.forename: Thierry A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Flam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010410:Penile Erection; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011379:Prognosis; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D012747:Sexual Partners