Comparison of health-related quality of life between subjects treated with radical prostatectomy and brachytherapy

Aims and objectives. To evaluate the symptoms and self-assessment of quality of life in men with localised prostate cancer after having had a radical prostatectomy or brachytherapy treatment. Background. Prostate cancer is a significant growing disease among men in Taiwan. Quality of life issues for the men who are living with this disease and the consequences of treatment. Design. A postal questionnaire survey. Methods. The study population came from one 1170-bed hospital in Kaohsiung County, Taiwan. Data was collected from 20 August 2007-20 November 2009. Seventy-eight men met the inclusion criteria. The researchers mailed a survey to each participant, which they completed at home and returned in a pre-stamped, addressed envelope. Sixty-four subjects participated and self-reported using a structured questionnaire. The reliability of overall prostate cancer index was 0.90 and 0.85, 0.93 and 0.72 for each subscale, respectively. Results. The results indicate that the number of months post-treatment was positively correlated with urinary function and age was negatively correlated with sexual, bowel function and bowel bothers. One predictor (month post-treatment) was related to urinary function; one predictor (treatment method) was related to bowel function and four predictors (marital status, age, treatment method and month post-treatment) were related to sexual function. Findings showed that patients who received brachytherapy have better urinary functions, as compared with prostatectomy patients. Conclusion. Study findings suggest that healthcare providers should have a better understanding of patients complications after treatment and this can ultimately raise the quality of life for prostate cancer patients. Relevance to clinical practice. The impact of quality of life among post prostate cancer treatment is common. Urological nurses should therefore take the responsibility regarding the consequence of urinary incontinence and sexual function and seeking appropriate nursing interventions for these complications.