Partners assessment of sexual function on androgen suppression (AS) for treatment of biochemical relapse of prostate cancer

Abstract

8261 Background: AS leads to significant loss in quality of life domains of sexual and intimate relationships for the partner as well as for the patient. Men with biochemical relapse of prostate cancer live for years and therefore, defining the impact of AS on sexuality and intimacy issues of a couple is important for designing future intervention trials aimed at addressing these problems. Methods: Men with biochemical relapse of prostate cancer were entered on a clinical trial of IAS. The patient and his partner each answered questionnaires at baseline and after 9 months of AS. The partner was asked to answer the same questionnaire according to her own perceptions of the answers as they pertained to the patient. Results: 14 men were married, eugonadal, and Caucasian with a median age of 64.5 years (range 51.8 to 77.2). At baseline, 9 men and 11 women reported erectile dysfunction (ED); 9 couples had no sexual activity during the past month. After 9 months of AS, 13 men and 14 women reported ED; 13 couples had no sexual activity in the past month. Conclusions: Not surprisingly, AS adversely impacted sexual desire, overall sexual function and frequency of sexual activity in most patients. One couple maintained sexual activity throughout. However, baseline sexual function was already poor in the majority of patients. This emphasizes the need to assess baseline function and include the couple rather than just the patient in therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing sexuality and intimacy. Author Disclosure Employment or Leadership Consultant or Advisory Role Stock Ownership Honoraria Research Funding Expert Testimony Other Remuneration Sanofi, TAP