Limited impact of erectile function on health‐related quality of life in Japanese men undergoing robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy

Abstract

To investigate the impact of erectile function on health-related quality of life in Japanese prostate cancer patients following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Methods: Time-dependent changes in erectile function and health-related quality of life were assessed using the erection hardness score and Medical Outcomes Study 8-Item Short Form Health Survey, respectively, in 229 consecutive Japanese patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. In this series, patients with erection hardness score ≥2 were considered to those having a certain erectile function. Results: Among the 229 patients examined, erection hardness score ≥2 was observed in 134 (58.5%) and 34 (14.9%) before and 12 months after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, respectively. Prior to robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, all eight scale scores of 8-Item Short Form Health Survey were significantly superior in patients with erection hardness score ≥2 than in those with erection hardness score = 0 or 1. However, significant differences were observed in two scale scores between patients with erection hardness score ≥2 and those with erection hardness score = 0 or 1 at 12 months after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Furthermore, among patients with erection hardness score ≥2 before robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, no significant differences were noted in any of the eight scale scores between patients with erection hardness score ≥2 and erection hardness score = 0 or 1 at 12 months after robotassisted radical prostatectomy. Conclusion: These findings suggest the limited impact of erectile function on postoperative health-related quality of life in Japanese patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Effects of Changes in Erectile Function After Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate on Postoperative Outcomes in Patients With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

“…Namiki et al showed that Japanese men were more likely to have poor sexual function, including sexual desire, erection ability, erection quality, and intercourse, than American men (19). Therefore, in the present study, EF was evaluated with EHS because it may be more appropriate than other tools, such as the International Index of Erectile Function-5, for men with an inactive sexual health status, such as Japanese men, as previously reported (20). In this series, no significant differences were noted between EHS before and 6 months after HoLEP.…”

Evaluation of sexual function after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy: A farewell toIIEFquestionnaire

“…The low frequency of sexual intercourse among Japanese couples is a well‐known fact, and there are limited impacts on sexual dysfunction if expressed as a mean 28,29 . On the other hand, a number of patients need sexual care, and strong, albeit limited, sexual concerns have been found in men with high sexual activity 10 .…”

“…The low frequency of sexual intercourse among Japanese couples is a well-known fact, and there are limited impacts on sexual dysfunction if expressed as a mean. 28,29 On the other hand, a number of patients need sexual care, and strong, albeit limited, sexual concerns have been found in men with high sexual activity. 10 Unsatisfied patients in the high-interest group demonstrated significantly deteriorated sexual health at 6 and 12 months after surgery despite relatively good recovery of sexual function.…”

Editorial Comment to Limited impact of erectile function on health‐related quality of life in Japanese men undergoing robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy

“…Tamura et al reported that erectile function has a limited impact on postoperative health-related quality of life in Japanese patients with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). 1 Of course, in Japanese prostate cancer patients, erectile function is very important and plays an important role in treatment decisions, and efforts must be made to deal with the altered physical condition. 2 On the other hand, it has been reported that fewer middleaged Japanese men have regular sexual intercourse than men of other races or cultures.…”

“…Tamura et al . reported that erectile function has a limited impact on postoperative health‐related quality of life in Japanese patients with robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) 1 …”