Disease acceptance, sexual, and urination disorders among men with prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION

Prostate benign hyperplasia affects a significant number of men over 50 years, often causing symptoms in the lower urinary tract. While, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in recent decades.

AIM: The aim of the study was assessment of the level of illness acceptance, sexual, and urinary disorders among men with prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia.

METHODS

In the study, 100 patients who have been treated in the urology departments because of benign hyperplasia or prostate cancer participated. The Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15), and International Prostate Symptom Scale (IPSS) were used in the research.

RESULTS

The respondents weakly accepted their illness (26.9 points). The intensity of symptoms accompanying prostate diseases was moderate (18.8 points), and they were mainly characterized by moderate disorders in the IIEF-15 scale (erectile function - 9.3 pts, orgasmic function - 2.9 pts, sexual desire - 5.1 pts, intercourse satisfaction - 3.7 pts, overall satisfaction - 4.4 pts). There are statistically significant differences in the acceptance of illness due to marital status and treatment method. There is also a statistically significant correlation between the level of symptoms accompanying prostate diseases (IPSS), illness acceptance (AIS), and the level of sexual disorders in overall satisfaction (OS).

CONCLUSIONS

A low level of illness acceptance, moderate severity of symptoms related to urination, and serious sexual disorders suggest the implementation of broader help for patients, including psychological, sexological, urological, and other specialists. The outcomes showed how difficult the condition of prostate disease is for men, including sexual and urination disorders.