A current profile of digital health literacy: patients undergoing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). Different outcomes with population variation. A new prospective study.

BACKGROUND

Digital health literacy (e-HL) is an increasingly popular analysis of patients' awareness of appropriate treatment modalities. This study aimed to evaluate e-HL levels in men undergoing Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its potential impact on their quality of life.

METHODS

A total of 106 patients scheduled for HoLEP were included. Age, body mass index (BMI), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume, preoperative uroflowmetry values, e-HL scores, International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) levels, and internet usage data were recorded. The EuroQoL Quality of Life (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire was administered at three months postoperatively. Follow-up uroflowmetry results, IPSS scores, and quality of life (QoL) assessments were compared with e-HL scores. A cutoff value for digital health literacy was identified.

RESULTS

The mean age was 68 years, BMI 29.1 kg/m², prostate volume 86.6 cc, and PSA 7.5 ± 4.6 ng/ml. The mean e-HL score was 16.8 ± 9.8, which was negatively correlated with age and BMI, positively with ISCED level and internet use (p < 0.001). The cutoff for adequate e-HL was 18.5. No significant correlation was found between e-HL and postoperative IPSS, EQ-5D-5L scores.

CONCLUSION

e-HL levels in HoLEP patients were not associated with symptom severity, postoperative outcomes, or quality of life. Further multicenter studies are needed.