title: Urinary and sexual function outcomes among different age groups after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We present an age-stratified prospective assessment of urinary and sexual function of 300 patients after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjective assessment data of continence and potency were collected for different age groups (<50, 50-59, and > or =60 years old) preoperatively, and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after RALP. Health-related quality of life questionnaires evaluated return of baseline urinary and sexual function at the same time intervals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The three age groups included 21, 129, and 150 patients (aged <50, 50-59, and >60 years old, respectively). Using Kaplan-Meier curves, younger men achieved subjective continence significantly earlier than older age groups when age groups were compared using a 60-year-old cut-off point (P = 0.02). However, subjective continence was noted to be equal among all age groups after 1 year of follow-up. Time to recovery of subjective potency among age groups shows a significant difference in favor of the younger age group (P = 0.01) Objective urinary function is equal between age groups at all time points, while objective sexual function assessment showed a trend toward better results in the younger age group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Younger men will likely have an earlier return of continence and potency compared to older men after RALP. However, continence outcomes were noted to be equal among age groups after I year of follow-up, while younger men continue to report superior potency outcomes compared to older men over the first postoperative year. Such findings are valuable in counseling older men undergoing this procedure.
authors: University of Chicago, Section of Urology, Chicago, Illinois, USA. doceric18th@yahoo.com
authors: Frederick P
authors: FP
authors: Mendiola
authors: Kevin C
authors: KC
authors: Zorn
authors: Albert A
authors: AA
authors: Mikhail
authors: Shang
authors: S
authors: Lin
authors: Marcelo A
authors: MA
authors: Orvieto
authors: Gregory P
authors: GP
authors: Zagaja
authors: Arieh L
authors: AL
authors: Shalhav
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012371:Robotics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology*