title: Gender differences in mortality, quality of life and function after restorative procedures for rectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Studies investigating the functional outcome after restorative surgery for rectal cancer have mainly focused on the effect of different surgical techniques on bowel habit or sexual activity at a single time-point. The aim of this study was to assess, longitudinally, the effect of rectal cancer treatment on bowel function, quality of life and sexual activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study parameters were assessed using self-administered questionnaires, including the Short Form 36 (SF-36), repeatedly, over a 5-year period. Patient details were obtained from the Cleveland Clinic prospective database.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 260 (186 male) patients. The mean ages of male and female patients at the time of surgery were 60.5 and 57.5 years, respectively. There was no significant difference in comorbidity or stage between the groups. Women had a better overall survival. More women than men had postoperative radiation and perioperative blood transfusions. Men had a higher percentage of hand-sewn anastomoses (23.9%vs 10.8%, P = 0.018), but there was no overall difference in the mean level of anastomosis (2.3 cm vs 1.9 cm, P = 0.38). Men had worse nocturnal bowel function, more incontinence and a poorer mental component score on the SF-36. Pad use increased over time to a greater degree in women. Sexual activity, which was similar in men and women at baseline, had fallen at 5 years in both genders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After restorative resection for rectal cancer, bowel function is worse in men than in women, especially night evacuation at 3 and 5 years postoperatively. Sexual function in both genders declines sharply initially within 1 year postoperatively and more gradually over 5 years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA. zutshim@ccf.org
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zutshi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hull
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shedda
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lavery
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hammel
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D039021:Colonic Pouches; D003672:Defecation; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015996:Survival Rate