Quality of life and the prevalence of urinary incontinence after surgical treatment for gynecologic cancer: a questionnaire survey

Abstract

Background: Although there have been a number of reports on urinary voiding symptoms associated with surgical interventions for gynecologic cancer and post-voiding symptoms, there have been few reports on urinary storage symptoms such as urinary incontinence (UI) and overactive bladder (OAB). The purpose of this study was to examine the rates and impact on quality of life (QOL) of urinary storage symptoms after gynecologic cancer surgery. Methods: A questionnaire survey, including Japanese-language versions of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 (IIQ-7), was distributed to gynecologic cancer patients who underwent hysterectomy between 2008 and 2013. Results: Of the 145 patients analyzed, 49 (33.8%) had UI pre-surgery, and 76 (52.4%) had UI post-surgery, including 34 (35.4%) first-time UI patients, with a significant difference between pre-and post-surgery. Of the 49 subjects with UI pre-surgery, 43 (87.7%) had stress incontinence, while of the 76 patients with UI post-surgery, 44 (57.1%) had stress incontinence, and 24 (31.2%) had mixed incontinence. Seven (4.8%) subjects had OAB pre-surgery, whereas 19 (13.1%) had OAB symptoms post-surgery (including 15 first-time OAB patients), with a significant difference between pre-and post-surgery. IIQ-7 scores were markedly higher for patients with mixed incontinence post-surgery than for those with stress incontinence, indicating a lower QOL. Logistic regression analysis identified the number of Cesarean sections and days of urinary bladder catheterization as risk factors for postoperative UI. Conclusions: UI and OAB rates were higher after gynecologic cancer surgery than in the general female population. The mixed incontinence rate was markedly higher post-surgery; QOL was low for such patients due to the combination of urge and stress incontinence. Multiple Cesarean sections and urinary bladder catheterization postsurgery were risk factors for post-surgical UI.

Rac1 as a Target to Treat Dysfunctions and Cancer of the Bladder

“…Additionally, in women, the prevalence of urinary symptoms (OAB, urinary incontinence) is high in breast cancer patients treated with oral hormone therapy [ 144 ]. Moreover, urinary incontinence and OAB rates were found to be higher after gynecologic cancer surgery than in the general female population [ 145 ]. For these different reasons, the use of Rac1 inhibitors in cancer-associated bladder pathologies would make sense.…”

Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Impact on Quality of Life Due to Urinary Incontinence Among Palestinian Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The caffeine content in tea, approximately one-third of that in coffee, prompted the exploration of other components potentially associated with lower urinary tract dysfunction [ 34 , 43 ]. Prior pelvic surgery is associated with higher ICIQ-UI scores, indicating a greater impact on QoL, possibly through structural or functional changes in the pelvic region [ 44 ].…”

Evaluation of urinary continence status and its influence on quality of life after gyneco-oncological treatment of female pelvic malignancies at an oncological center

“…Lukacz et al [ 21 ] showed that childbearing leads to an increase in UI; Noriko Nakayama et al [ 22 ] observed multiple c-sections as a risk factor for UI after surgical treatment of gynecologic CA. However, both childbearing and c-section could not be shown as factors that impacted the ICIQ score in our study.…”