Disease-specific and general health-related quality of life in newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients: the Pros-IT CNR study

Abstract

BackgroundThe National Research Council (CNR) prostate cancer monitoring project in Italy (Pros-IT CNR) is an observational, prospective, ongoing, multicentre study aiming to monitor a sample of Italian males diagnosed as new cases of prostate cancer. The present study aims to present data on the quality of life at time prostate cancer is diagnosed.MethodsOne thousand seven hundred five patients were enrolled. Quality of life is evaluated at the time cancer was diagnosed and at subsequent assessments via the Italian version of the University of California Los Angeles-Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA-PCI) and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12).ResultsAt diagnosis, lower scores on the physical component of the SF-12 were associated to older ages, obesity and the presence of 3+ moderate/severe comorbidities. Lower scores on the mental component were associated to younger ages, the presence of 3+ moderate/severe comorbidities and a T-score higher than one.Urinary and bowel functions according to UCLA-PCI were generally good. Almost 5% of the sample reported using at least one safety pad daily to control urinary loss; less than 3% reported moderate/severe problems attributable to bowel functions, and sexual function was a moderate/severe problem for 26.7%. Diabetes, 3+ moderate/severe comorbidities, T2 or T3-T4 categories and a Gleason score of eight or more were significantly associated with lower sexual function scores at diagnosis.ConclusionsData collected by the Pros-IT CNR study have clarified the baseline status of newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients. A comprehensive assessment of quality of life will allow to objectively evaluate outcomes of different profile of care.

Impact of Surgical Approach on Patient-Reported Outcomes after Radical Prostatectomy: A Propensity Score-Weighted Analysis from a Multicenter, Prospective, Observational Study (The Pros-IT CNR Study)

“…The Pros-IT CNR project is a prospective observational longitudinal study that monitors through validated tools an Italian cohort of 1,705 men diagnosed with PCa from September 2014 to September 2015 [16,17]. The decision on treatments and surgical approach was made on patients and tumour's characteristics following current guidelines, institutional policy and physicians' preferences.…”

“…In the present study, we compared HRQoL outcomes measured by PROMs after ORP, LRP or RARP in a contemporary Italian cohort of patients prospectively recruited within a short time span during the PCa monitoring in ITaly project from the National Research Council (Pros-IT CNR) [16,17].…”

BIT-ART: Multicentric Comparison of HDR-brachytherapy, Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy and Tomotherapy for Advanced Radiotherapy in Prostate Cancer

“…Most trials used questionnaires to evaluate GU toxicitybut it might be influenced by both patient and physician bias. However, patient reported outcomes are becoming crucial in treatment choice (42).…”

Ejaculation Sparing Bladder Neck Incision with Holmium Laser in Patients with Urinary Symptoms and Small Prostates: Short-Term Functional Results

“…As showed in same epidemiological studies, absence of ejaculation affects sexual activity and global quality of life (QoL) [7,8].…”