Natural history of voiding function after radical retropubic prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES

To report results from a 2-year longitudinal survey of lower urinary tract function and quality of life (QOL) in men after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RP) for localized prostate cancer.

METHODS

Between November 2001 and September 2003, self-report assessments were provided to 225 patients who underwent RP alone. The University of California Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA PCI), the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and the IPSS QOL score were administered before and 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after RP.

RESULTS

The overall mean total IPSS and IPSS QOL score progressively improved with time. The mean scores of several components improved significantly postoperatively. No significant difference was observed in nocturia between the baseline assessment and any of the postoperative follow-up assessments. The IPSS of the younger patients continued to recover significantly more rapidly than that of the older patients after RP. According to the UCLA PCI scores, urinary function substantially declined just after RP and continued to recover but scored lower than the baseline. The mean total IPSS and IPSS QOL scores observed in men with a UCLA PCI urinary function score of 80 or more were significantly better than in men with scores less than 80 at 24 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Radical retropubic prostatectomy has a significant beneficial effect on lower urinary tract symptoms. The rate of improvement was lowest for nocturia among the seven symptoms of IPSS. Urinary continence after RP and age can affect the recovery of voiding function.