Urinary Incontinence, Pads and Health-Related Quality of Life After Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy is a widely used treatment for prostate cancer but is associated with postoperative urinary incontinence, which may necessitate the use of pads and ultimately affect health-related quality of life. Studies suggest that postoperative urinary incontinence and pad usage may negatively affect cancer-specific and urinary health-related quality of life. However, the relationship between general health-related quality of life and postoperative urinary incontinence remains unclear. This study examined the relationship between the frequency of postoperative urinary incontinence, number of pads used and general health-related quality of life within the first year after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. A prospective survey was conducted preoperatively with 90 patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Data were collected preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months postoperatively using a self-administered questionnaire. Outcome measures included the frequency of urinary incontinence, number of pads and 8-item Short-Form Health Survey scores for general health-related quality of life assessment. Analysis of covariance was used to compare the Short-Form Health Survey scores based on frequency of urinary incontinence and pad usage. Almost all participants experienced frequent urinary incontinence and required multiple pads within 1 month after surgery. Although postoperative urinary incontinence decreased over time, approximately 70.0% of the patients continued to experience urinary incontinence or used pads 1 year after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. However, no significant differences were observed in Short-Form Health Survey scores based on the frequency of urinary incontinence and pad usage used at each postoperative timepoint. These findings suggest that the frequency of postoperative urinary incontinence and pad usage may not be related to general health-related quality of life assessment. Along with long-term continence care, general health-related quality of life assessment may be improved by supporting daily living despite urinary incontinence and pad use.