Changes in continence and erectile function between 2 and 4 years after radical prostatectomy.
OBJECTIVE
There is a paucity of information on changes in continence and erectile function beyond 2 years after radical prostatectomy. We prospectively examined changes in continence and erectile function between 2 and 4 years after radical prostatectomy.


METHODS
Between October 2000 and August 2003, 731 consecutive men underwent open retropubic radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer. Preoperative and postoperative continence, and erectile function were ascertained using the UCLA Prostate Cancer Index. The 48-month prospective self-assessment followup questionnaire captured changes in urinary control and erectile function between 24 and 48 months, including marked, moderate or slight improvement, no change or worsening.


RESULTS
Overall between 24 and 48 months after radical prostatectomy 23.4% and 42.3% of men showed any degree of improvement in continence and erectile function, and 12.2% and 19.8% showed marked and moderate improvement in continence and erectile function, respectively. The probability of experiencing any qualitative improvement in urinary continence was not significantly different in men who were continent or incontinent at 24 months. The likelihood of experiencing any qualitative improvement in erectile function was significantly greater in men who were potent at 24 months compared to those who were impotent.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study provides compelling evidence that clinically significant improvements in urinary control and erectile function occur beyond 2 years after radical prostatectomy. These qualitative improvements are greatest for erectile function in men who were potent at 2 years. Therefore, men should not be counseled that maximal urinary continence or erectile function are achieved by 24 months after radical prostatectomy.
Glickman
Leonard
L
Department of Urology, Division of Urologic Oncology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA.
Godoy
Guilherme
G
Lepor
Herbert
H
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000502:physiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011336:Probability; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014554:Urination / Q000502:physiology