title: Erectile function after permanent 125I prostate brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze erectile function in men treated by prostate brachytherapy (PB) for localized prostate cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of a series of 270 sexually active men treated by PB, 241 (89%), mean age 65 yr (range, 43-80 yr), participated in a study on erectile function that was evaluated using the International Index of Erectile Function 5-item (IIEF-5) questionnaire before implantation and by postal survey after a mean follow-up of 36 months (range, 6-70 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After PB, 27 patients (11%) had no erectile dysfunction (ED), 36 (15%) had mild ED, 58 (24%) had mild to moderate ED, 24 (10%) had moderate ED, 53 (22%) had severe ED and 43 (18%) were not sexually active. In patients with a preimplant IIEF score >12 (cut-off for intercourse with penetration), 73% had a deterioration of erectile function by at least one class after PB. Risk factors for ED after PB were age, preimplant IIEF score and prostate volume. Median time to ED onset was 16 months and was shorter with androgen deprivation (p = 0.007), diabetes (p = 0.03) and age over 55 (p = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Following PB, the majority of patients progressively develop or major ED after a free interval that may last several months.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, France.
authors.affiliation: Department of Andrology, University Hospital Paule de Viguier, Paul Sabatier University, EA 3694 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Njomnang Soh
authors.affiliation: Department of Andrology, University Hospital Paule de Viguier, Paul Sabatier University, EA 3694 Toulouse, France ; Department of Urology, University Hospital of rangueil, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Delaunay
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Hospital of rangueil, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Matthieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thoulouzan
authors.affiliation: Clinique Ambroise Paré, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jonca
authors.affiliation: Institut Claudius Régaud, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Jean Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bachaud
authors.affiliation: Institut Claudius Régaud, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Delannes
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Hospital of rangueil, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soulie
authors.affiliation: Department of Andrology, University Hospital Paule de Viguier, Paul Sabatier University, EA 3694 Toulouse, France ; Department of Urology, University Hospital of rangueil, Toulouse, France ; Département d'Urologie CHU Rangueil, 1 av. Jean Poulhès, TSA 50032, 31059 Toulouse Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Huyghe
keywords: Brachytherapy; Carcinoma of the prostate; Erection; Questionnaire; Sexual function