title: Late-onset incontinence in a cohort of radical prostatectomy patients.
abstract: A cohort of 235 subjects, who underwent radical prostatectomy from 1994 to 2002, completely continent at the 2-year follow up and with the last follow-up visit in 2009, was examined to assess incidence and risk factors of late-onset incontinence. Median follow up was 100 months, range 84-176. At the last follow-up visit, 209 (89%) maintained continence, and 26 (11%) became incontinent. Specifically 14 out of 26 (6%) used one pad and 12 (5%) used two or more pads daily. Incidence of age ≥ 65 years at radical prostatectomy was greater in the subgroup who developed late incontinence, 109/209 (52%) vs 19/26 (73%). Incidence of adjuvant or salvage radiotherapy, of hormonal manipulation and of extraprostatic disease was similar in the two subgroups. Univariate and multivariate analysis did not disclose any difference. Late-onset incontinence is to be expected in about 10% of subjects who became completely continent after radical prostatectomy. The cause is likely to be related to ageing. Patients should be informed about the long-term risk of becoming incontinent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, National Institute for Cancer Research, Genoa, Italy. angelo.naselli@libero.it
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Naselli
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Simone
authors.forename: Rocco
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Papalia
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gallucci
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Introini
authors.forename: Rossana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Andreatta
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puppo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011468:Prostatectomy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology*