Importance of considering interest in sex when evaluating satisfaction after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy

Abstract

Objectives To assess the impact of patients’ interest in sex on the satisfaction after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy, longitudinal changes of urinary and sexual functions and bothers were evaluated. Methods A total of 101 patients underwent robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy in our institution. Based on sexual interest, they were divided into the high‐interest and low‐interest groups. Overall satisfaction, urinary function, urinary bother, sexual function, and sexual bother were evaluated using the expanded prostate cancer index composite questionnaire preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy. We investigated the associations between the overall satisfaction and urinary function/urinary bother/sexual function/sexual bother scores (with higher score indicating better function and less impairment). Results In the high‐interest group (n = 45), satisfaction correlated with high urinary function and urinary bother scores early after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (urinary function: 1 and 3 months, urinary bother: 3 months postoperatively; P < 0.05) and then with high sexual bother score thereafter (sexual bother at 6 and 12 months after surgery; P < 0.05). Sexual function score did not correlate with satisfaction. In the low‐interest group (n = 56), satisfaction correlated with high urinary function and urinary bother scores over time (urinary function: 3 and 6 months, urinary bother: at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively; P < 0.05). Neither sexual function nor sexual bother correlated with satisfaction postoperatively in the low‐interest group. Conclusions The impact of urinary and sexual functions and bothers on patients’ overall satisfaction differed between patients with high‐ and low‐interest in sex. The patient’s interest in sex should be considered when assessing satisfaction after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy.

Editorial Comment to Importance of considering interest in sex when evaluating satisfaction after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy

“…On the other hand, only urinary trouble affected satisfaction after RARP in patients with a low-interest in sex. 5 In the present study, two points were of special interest. First, in the high-interest in sex group, sexual trouble was prolonged after RARP in dissatisfied patients regardless of improvement in sexual function to the same degree as in satisfied patients.…”

“…[1][2][3][4] In the present study, Kohada et al divided patients who underwent RARP into a high-interest in sex group and a lowinterest in sex group on the basis of attempts for penile rehabilitation. 5 The authors evaluated urinary function, urinary trouble, sexual function, and sexual trouble using the expanded prostate cancer index composite questionnaire. 5 The study showed that both urinary trouble and sexual trouble affected the postoperative satisfaction of patients with a highinterest in sex.…”

“…5 The authors evaluated urinary function, urinary trouble, sexual function, and sexual trouble using the expanded prostate cancer index composite questionnaire. 5 The study showed that both urinary trouble and sexual trouble affected the postoperative satisfaction of patients with a highinterest in sex. On the other hand, only urinary trouble affected satisfaction after RARP in patients with a low-interest in sex.…”

“…The study showed that both urinary trouble and sexual trouble affected the postoperative satisfaction of patients with a high‐interest in sex. On the other hand, only urinary trouble affected satisfaction after RARP in patients with a low‐interest in sex 5 …”

“…divided patients who underwent RARP into a high‐interest in sex group and a low‐interest in sex group on the basis of attempts for penile rehabilitation 5 . The authors evaluated urinary function, urinary trouble, sexual function, and sexual trouble using the expanded prostate cancer index composite questionnaire 5 . The study showed that both urinary trouble and sexual trouble affected the postoperative satisfaction of patients with a high‐interest in sex.…”