title: Global Quality of Life After Curative Treatment for Prostate Cancer: What Matters? A Study Among Members of the Norwegian Prostate Cancer Patient Association.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to identify factors that are associated with quality of life (QoL) in relapse-free patients after radical prostatectomy or high-dose radiotherapy with or without hormone treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional postal survey among members of the Norwegian Prostate Cancer Patient Association was used. We analyzed associations between QoL and general health, "typical" adverse effects (sexual, urinary, and bowel assessed using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Composite items) and psychosocial variables (work ability, family life, social life and/or leisure activities) in univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Statistical significance was defined as P < .01.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 612 responders (approximately 50% compliance; median age, 70 years), in univariate analyses QoL was significantly associated with functional aspects and the level of bother within the sexual, urinary, and bowel domains and with general health and psychosocial aspects of daily life. In the multivariate analysis only general health and social life and/or leisure activities remained associated with QoL, with work ability being a third factor in patients younger than 65 years old. Posttreatment worsening of partnership was reported by 12% of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prostate cancer patients who are to undergo curative treatment should be informed about the risk of reduced function within the sexual, urinary, and bowel domains, but also about these dysfunctions' relation to bother and QoL, considered together with the patients' general health and their preferences as to their social life activities.
authors: Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, The Norwegian Radium Hospital Oslo, Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: s.d.fossa@medisin.uio.no.
authors: Sophie D
authors: SD
authors: Fosså
authors: Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, The Norwegian Radium Hospital Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Alv A
authors: AA
authors: Dahl
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009664:Norway; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Adverse effects; EPIC-26; Prostate Cancer; Psychosocial life; Quality of Life; Self-report