Caution with Use of the EPIC-50 Urinary Bother Scale: How Voiding Dysfunction Modifies its Performance

Effectiveness and Prognosis: Drainage Skin-Bridge Sparing Surgery Combined with Fistulotomy versus Fistulotomy Only in the Treatment of Anal Fistula

Objective

This study intends to analyze the difference in the efficacy of drainage skin-bridge sparing surgery combined fistulotomy (DSCF) and fistulotomy alone.

Methods

125 patients with anal fistula were enrolled as study subjects and randomly divided into control group (CG) and observation group (OG) by double-blind lottery. The CG received drainage skin-bridge sparing surgery with fistulotomy and the OG received fistulotomy only.

Results

The VAS scores of the trauma in the OG were lower than those in the CG on 1st day of surgery and 7 days after surgery (P < 0.05). The length of hospital stay and time to wound healing were shorter in the OG than in the CG (P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative bleeding in the OG was 9.52%, which was lower than 22.58% in the CG (P < 0.05). The rectal examination scores were lower in the OG than in the CG at 3 and 5 days postoperatively (P < 0.05). The Wexner scores of solid incontinence (0 to 4), liquid incontinence (0 to 4), gas incontinence (0 to 4), pad wearing (0 to 4), and lifestyle alteration (0 to 4) in the OG were lower than those of the CG at 5 days postoperatively (P < 0.05). Voiding function scores were lower in the OG than in the CG at 2 and 3 days postoperatively (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The efficacy of drainage skin-bridge sparing surgery combined fistulotomy is better than that of fistulotomy alone, which can accelerate postoperative healing, enhance urinary function, reduce postoperative bleeding, and improve anal function.

One-year urinary and sexual outcome trajectories among prostate cancer patients treated by radical prostatectomy: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

To examine one-year trajectories of urinary and sexual outcomes, and correlates of these trajectories, among prostate cancer patients treated by radical prostatectomy (RP).

METHODS

Study participants were recruited from 2011 to 2014 at two US institutions. Self-reported urinary and sexual outcomes were measured at baseline before surgery, and 5 weeks, 6 months and 12 months after surgery, using the modified Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite-50 (EPIC-50). Changes in EPIC-50 scores from baseline were categorized as improved (beyond baseline), maintained, or impaired (below baseline), using previously-reported minimum clinically important differences.

RESULTS

Of the 426 eligible participants who completed the baseline survey, 395 provided data on at least one EPIC-50 sub-scale at 5 weeks and 12 months, and were analyzed. Although all mean EPIC-50 scores declined markedly 5 weeks after surgery and then recovered to near (incontinence-related outcomes) or below (sexual outcomes) baseline levels by 12 months post-surgery, some men experienced improvement beyond their baseline levels on each sub-scale (3.3-51% depending on the sub-scale). Having benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) at baseline (prostate size ≥ 40 g; an International Prostate Symptom Index Score ≥ 8; or using BPH medications) was associated with post-surgical improvements in voiding dysfunction-related bother at 5 weeks (OR = 3.9, 95% CI: 2.1-7.2) and 12 months (OR = 3.3, 95% CI: 2.0-5.7); and in sexual bother at 5 weeks (OR = 5.7, 95% CI:1.7-19.3) and 12 months (OR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.2-7.1).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide additional support for considering baseline BPH symptoms when selecting the best therapy for early-stage prostate cancer.

On the Relationship Between Erectile Function and Sexual Distress in Men with Prostate Cancer

Erectile difficulties are common after prostate cancer (PCa) treatment and are associated with sexual distress. However, the relationship between erectile function and sexual distress has yet to be carefully examined. This study had three goals: (1) examine the relationship between erectile function and sexual distress; (2) determine groups of men based on erectile function and sexual distress; and (3) examine the psychosexual characteristics of these groups. A cross section of 233 sexually active men after PCa treatment (age M = 64.90 years, SD = 7.50) completed an online survey containing demographic, health, and sexuality and relationship questionnaires. The relationship between erectile function and sexual distress was curvilinear. Four groups of men were found: good erectile function and low sexual distress, poor erectile function and high sexual distress, but also good erectile function yet high sexual distress, and poor erectile function and low sexual distress. Regardless of erectile function, men with greater sexual distress were more depressed, reported additional sexual concerns, placed less value on sex, were less sexually satisfied, and used protective buffering communication more frequently. They were also less likely to be satisfied with their adaptation to sexual changes and less likely to have found a solution to those changes. The relationship between erectile function and sexual distress is complex, characterized by a wide array of responses to erectile function (high and low distress) and multiple correlates of sexual distress. These results broaden the concept of sexual recovery after PCa treatment, which may assist clinicians and researchers to better address sexual problems after PCa treatment.