Prostate Cancer Index Composite Questionnaire Research Articles

Factor Analysis of the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite in a Patient Group after Primary (External Beam Radiotherapy and Permanent Iodine-125 Brachytherapy) and Postoperative Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer

Background: The Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite questionnaire is widely used as a comprehensive assessment of health-related quality of life issues in prostate cancer management, distinguishing urinary, bowel, sexual, hormonal domains. The primary purpose of this study was to assess the factor structure of this questionnaire. Patients and Methods: A principal component analysis with orthogonal (varimax) rotation was conducted on data collected from 418 patients after primary (external beam radiotherapy and permanent iodine-125 brachytherapy) and postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer. Results: Health-related quality of life scores well demonstrated differences in subpopulations before radiotherapy and different toxicity profiles of specific radiotherapy concepts. The extraction of 12 factors accounted for 75.5% of the variance. With exception of the sexual domain, a strong dependence between the function in a domain and the related bother was found. The concept to discriminate urinary incontinence and urinary irritation/ obstruction subscales was supported. However, the items ‘bleeding with urination’ and ‘bloody stools’ have loaded on separate factors. After separation of the items of the function and bother subscales, a 4-factor solution was confirmed to be optimal, respectively. Conclusion: The obtained factor structure corresponds to the original Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite subscales. Minor divergences have been found, depicting especially items concerning ‘incontinence’ and ‘bleeding’ as distinct aspects of a domain.

Erectile Dysfunction After External Beam Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer

BackgroundThere is a lack of prospective studies focusing on the sexual quality of life of prostate cancer patients after conformal radiotherapy (RT). ObjectiveTo evaluate the incidence, progression, and predictive factors for erectile dysfunction (ED). Design, Setting and ParticipantsPatients who responded to the sexual domain of the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) questionnaire before and more than 1 yr after RT and never received an antiandrogen treatment were included (n=123). InterventionRT dose was 70.2–72Gy. Eleven patients used a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor. MeasurementsPatients responded to the EPIC questionnaire before (time A), at the last day (B), a median time of 2 mo after (C), and 16 mo after (D) RT. In a multivariate analysis, risk factors (patient age, prostate volume, planning target volume, use of PDE-5 inhibitor, comorbidities) were tested for their independent effects on ED before and after RT. Results and LimitationsSexual function and bother scores had already decreased by the end of RT (median function and bother scores at times A/B/C/D: 41/30/32/24 and 75/50/50/50). Initial function scores correlated well with late function scores (r=0.7; p<0.001). The ability to have an erection was reported by 81%/72%/74%/60% (preserved erectile ability in 70% at time D), erections firm enough for sexual intercourse by 44%/33%/35%/27% (preserved erections sufficient for intercourse in 53% at time D) of patients. A higher patient age and diabetes were predictive of both a pre-existing ED and a post-RT acquired ED. Nightly erections before treatment proved prognostically favourable (at least weekly vs. < weekly—hazard ratio of 5.9 for preserved erections sufficient for intercourse; p=0.01). Higher rates of ED can be expected with longer follow-up. ConclusionsThe incidence of ED progressively increases after RT. Patient age and diabetes are risk factors for both pre-treatment and RT-associated ED. Nightly erections before RT proved prognostically favourable.

Impact of Nerve Sparing Technique on Patient Self-Assessed Outcomes After Radical Perineal Prostatectomy

We investigated the impact of nerve sparing technique on erectile function, urinary continence and health related quality of life after radical perineal prostatectomy using a validated self-assessment questionnaire. The Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite questionnaire was administered preoperatively and at defined intervals after surgery to 265 patients who underwent radical perineal prostatectomy at 2 institutions between January 2001 and December 2004. Of these patients 153 (57.7%) and 112 (42.3%) underwent nonnerve sparing and nerve sparing approaches, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to determine time to recovery of erectile function (erections firm enough for intercourse) and urinary continence (0 pads per day). Median patient age was 60.6 years. Median followup was 15 months. In multivariate analysis preoperative erectile function (p = 0.005) and preservation of the neurovascular bundle (p = 0.018) were independent predictors of earlier recovery of erectile function, with hazard ratios of 2.3 (95% CI 1.2-4.6) and 4.0 (95% CI 1.5-10.3), respectively. Median time to recovery of urinary continence was 4.8 months in the nerve sparing group and 6.1 months in the nonnerve sparing group (p = 0.001). In multivariate analysis nerve sparing technique (p = 0.001, HR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.9) and age (p = 0.012, HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.2) were independent predictors of recovery of continence. This analysis suggests that nerve sparing radical perineal prostatectomy is associated with improved recovery of urinary continence and favorable health related quality of life scores and, therefore, should be considered a viable alternative to other nerve sparing approaches.

Age Stratified Functional Outcomes After Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy

We assessed health related quality of life in men treated for prostate cancer with laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Urinary continence and potency were prospectively assessed in 369 men stratified into age groups, including group 1-younger than 50, group 2-50 to 59 and group 3-60 years or older, by analyzing answers to the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite questionnaire collected preoperatively, and 3, 6 and 12 months after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Younger men were more likely to achieve urinary continence (1 pad or less daily) 1 year after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (groups 1 to 3 100%, 91% and 81%, respectively, p <0.01). Younger men were also more likely to be potent and engaging in intercourse 1 year after bilateral nerve sparing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (groups 1 to 3 70%, 67% and 46%, respectively, p <0.01). The mean percent return to baseline Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite urinary continence subscale at 1 year in groups 1 to 3 was 80%, 79% and 74%, respectively (p = 0.49). The mean percent return to baseline Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite sexual function subscale at 1 year in groups 1 to 3 was 68%, 65% and 58%, respectively (p = 0.56). Binary logistic regression modeling using the variables age group, prostate weight, International Prostate Symptom Score and nerve sparing status demonstrated that only younger age group was associated with return to continence at all postoperative time points (p <0.05). Younger age group was associated with return to early potency at 3 and 6 months (p = 0.02 and <0.01, respectively). However, only nerve sparing status was associated with recovery of potency at all time points (p <0.05). Younger men treated with nerve sparing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy regain urinary control and potency earlier than older men. However, validated questionnaire subscale analyses demonstrated that the return to preoperative baseline urinary continence and sexual function is similar in all age groups by the end of postoperative year 1.

Use of a validated quality of life questionnaire to assess sexual function following laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

Wide variations exist in the methods for evaluating potency following radical prostatectomy. We describe our technique of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP), present our methods for assessing the return of potency following LRP, and discuss the relevant literature. Sexual function was assessed pre- and postoperatively using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite questionnaire (EPIC). Sexual function subscale scores (SFSS) were reported as a percentage of preoperative baseline sexual function. The EPIC was also used for single-question assessment of successful intercourse. We also reviewed the literature on prospective health-related quality of life results following LRP and open radical retropubic prostatectomy. Only patients reporting preoperative intercourse were analyzed. Of these, 72 and 35% undergoing bilateral and unilateral nerve sparing (NS) reported postoperative intercourse at 12 months (P=0.01). Mean SFSS at 12 months was 61 and 57% of baseline after bilateral and unilateral NS, respectively (P=0.71). Following NS procedures, 74% of patients < or =58 years of age and 41% of patients >58 years of age reported successful intercourse at 12 months (P=0.015). Mean SFSS was 64 and 52% of baseline function (P=0.249) at 12 months for patients < or =58 and >58 years of age, respectively. In patients <58 years of age who underwent bilateral NS surgery, 82% reported intercourse at 12 months. In conclusion, return of sexual function following NS LRP in our experience is comparable to reports from centers of excellence in open prostatectomy. Standardizing data collection using validated quality of life instruments can provide both surgeon and patient with a realistic forecast of relative return to normal sexual function following prostatectomy.

197: An Assessment of Preoperative Symptoms and Bother Prior to Radical Prostatectomy Using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite Questionnaire

197: An Assessment of Preoperative Symptoms and Bother Prior to Radical Prostatectomy Using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite Questionnaire

Nerve-sparing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: replicating the open surgical technique

Objectives To present a detailed demonstration of a nerve-sparing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) technique that replicates anatomic nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). Techniques for neurovascular bundle preservation during open RRP have undergone several decades of careful refinement. Identifying pre-existing anatomic planes and the avoidance of thermal injury near the nerves are principles considered paramount during nerve-sparing RRP. During LRP and robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy, the use of cautery for hemostasis during nerve dissection is common despite its unknown effects on cavernous nerve function. Methods We describe a combined antegrade and retrograde laparoscopic approach to neurovascular bundle dissection. The technique is demonstrated in the accompanying video segments. The use of specialized laparoscopic instrumentation, including a fine-tipped right-angle clamp and curved dissector, is discussed. The principles of meticulous tissue handling and avoidance of electrocautery are stressed. The preliminary outcomes are presented using data obtained using an abridged version of the International Index of Erectile Function and the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite questionnaires. Results To date, our technique has been applied to LRP in more than 177 patients. Blood loss has been minimal (less than 300 mL), and intraoperative anatomic nerve preservation appeared excellent. On the basis of our early experience, 76% of patients engaging in sexual intercourse preoperatively who underwent bilateral nerve preservation (n = 21) reported the ability to engage in sexual intercourse 1 year after LRP. Conclusions Our nerve-sparing LRP technique replicates established open surgical principles of anatomic nerve-sparing RRP. The techniques described here minimize the potential for cavernous nerve damage from electrical energy or heat. Early functional outcomes appear comparable to the results obtained with open RRP performed at our institution.