Prevalence and Predictors of Climacturia and Associated Patient/Partner Bother in Patients With History of Definitive Therapy for Prostate Cancer

BACKGROUND

Climacturia is an under-reported complication of definitive therapy for prostate cancer (PCa) - that is, radical prostatectomy (RP) and/or radiation therapy (RT).

AIM

We sought to identify the prevalence and predictors of climacturia and associated patient/partner bother in patients with and without prior PCa treatment.

METHODS

We analyzed a database of patients who presented to our Men's Health clinic and filled out a questionnaire related to sexual function and pertinent medical histories. The prevalence of climacturia and associated patient/partner bother in patients with/without prior RP/RT was calculated. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to identify predictors associated with climacturia and patient/partner bother.

OUTCOMES

The primary outcomes were the prevalence and predictors of climacturia and associated patient/partner bother in patients with/without history of definitive PCa treatment.

RESULTS

Among 1,117 patients able to achieve orgasm, 192 patients (17%) had prior history of definitive therapy for PCa (RP alone = 139 [72%]; RT alone = 22 [11%]; RP + RT = 31 [16%]). Climacturia was reported by 39%, 14%, 52%, and 2.4% of patients with history of RP alone, RT alone, RP + RT, and neither RP nor RT, respectively (P < .05 between all groups). 33 to 45 percent of patients with climacturia noted significant patient/partner bother. Factors significantly associated with climacturia were prior RP, prior RT, history of other prostate surgery, and erectile dysfunction, although erectile dysfunction was not significant on multivariable analysis. Significant reduction in climacturia prevalence was noted for patients who were ≥1 year out from RP, compared with patients who were <1 year out. Among patients with prior RP/RT, stress urinary incontinence was associated with increased risk of climacturia, whereas diabetes was associated with decreased risk. No factors were associated with patient/partner bother. Among patients with prior RP, nerve-sparing technique did not predict presence of climacturia but was associated with reduced patient/partner bother.

CLINICAL TRANSLATION

Given significant prevalence of climacturia and associated patient/partner bother, patients should be counseled on the risk of climacturia before undergoing RP/RT.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

Strengths include the large study population and the focus on both RP and RT. Limitations include the facts that this is a single-institution study that primarily relies on patients' subjective reporting and that the study population may not represent the general population.

CONCLUSIONS

Climacturia affects a significant proportion of patients with history of RP/RT for PCa, and many patients and their partners find this bothersome. Jimbo M, Alom M, Pfeifer ZD, et al. Prevalence and Predictors of Climacturia and Associated Patient/Partner Bother in Patients With History of Definitive Therapy for Prostate Cancer. J Sex Med 2020;17:1126-1132.

Bother Associated With Climacturia After Radical Prostatectomy: Prevalence and Predictors

INTRODUCTION

Orgasm-associated incontinence, climacturia, is one of the lesser studied radical prostatectomy (RP) complications. Little is known about patient bother related to this condition, specifically, its prevalence and predictors.

AIM

To ascertain the prevalence and predictors of patient bother associated with climacturia.

METHODS

Patients presenting for the evaluation of sexual dysfunction after RP at a single center were queried on various domains of sexual dysfunction. This included orgasmic dysfunction and sexual incontinence (including climacturia and arousal incontinence). Patients were specifically asked about the frequency and amount of climacturia. In addition, questions addressed patient bother and the perceived bother of their partners. Descriptive statistics were used for patient characteristics. A t-test was used for comparing the frequency of patient and partner bother, and the Pearson correlation test compared relationships between bother and predictors. Multivariable analysis was conducted to define predictors of climacturia-associated bother.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The main outcome measures was the prevalence and predictors of climacturia-associated patient bother and perceived partner bother.

RESULTS

Climacturia was reported by 23% of 3,207 consecutive men analyzed. Bother of any degree was experienced by 45% of these patients, and 14% reported partner bother related to this condition. Patient bother was associated with perceived partner bother (P < .001) and inversely correlated with relationship duration (P < .001). The overall frequency and quantity of climacturia were also predictive (P < .001 for both). In the adjusted model, all of these factors remained significant.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Given the prevalence of this condition and the bother associated with it, this complication should be discussed with patients preoperatively.

STRENGTH & LIMITATIONS

Strengths include a large study population and specific questions on climacturia-associated bother. Limitations include the fact that it is a single-center study and no direct partner questioning occurred.

CONCLUSION

Climacturia and its associated bother are common after RP. The predictors of patient bother include perceived partner bother, shorter relationship duration, and increasing frequency and quantity of climacturia. Salter CA, Bach PV, Miranda E, et al. Bother Associated With Climacturia After Radical Prostatectomy: Prevalence and Predictors. J Sex Med 2020;17:731-736.

Arousal Incontinence in Men Following Radical Prostatectomy: Prevalence, Impact and Predictors

BACKGROUND

Arousal incontinence (AI) occurs during physical or psychological sexual stimulation in men and has been described after radical prostatectomy (RP).

AIM

The goals of this study are to describe the characteristics of men experiencing AI, outline the nature of their symptoms, and assess for predictors of this condition.

METHODS

A survey with questions on AI, stress urinary incontinence (SUI), the International Index of Erectile Function and International Prostate Symptom Score were sent out to men who had undergone an RP within the past 24 months at a single institution. The data were deidentified and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Comparisons between men with and without AI were made using t-tests and χ² and Fisher exact tests. Logistic regression in univariable and multivariable analyses were used to define predictors of AI.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The outcomes of this study included prevalence of AI, symptom severity and timing, patient and patient-perceived partner bother, management strategies used by the patients, and concurrent SUI.

RESULTS

226 (32%) men completed the survey. Of these men, almost half (49%) experienced AI at some point during their recovery. Improvement over time was endorsed by 62% of men. 57% of men reported AI in less than half of the sexual encounters, with the amount of urine leakage being equivalent to a tablespoon or less in 88% of men. On univariate analysis, increasing degree of SUI, as measured by pads per day, was associated with AI (P = .01). A lower International Prostate Symptom Score was also associated (P = .05). On multivariate analysis, the absence of hypertension and pads per day were associated with AI (P = .01 for both).

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

AI occurred in almost half of the respondents in our series. Thus, AI should be discussed with patients before surgery to allow for realistic expectations.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS

Strengths of this study include the largest patient population analyzed to date regarding AI and that it is the only one to address timing and patient experiences with the use of validated instruments for erectile and urinary function. Limitations include single-center data, non-validated AI patient-reported outcomes, and poor survey response rate.

CONCLUSION

Based on the available data, AI is reported by almost half of men after RP and is associated with SUI. Bach PV, Salter CA, Katz D, et al. Arousal Incontinence in Men Following Radical Prostatectomy: Prevalence, Impact and Predictors. J Sex Med 2020;16:1947-1952.

The Relationship and Psychosocial Impact of Arousal Incontinence After Radical Prostatectomy

INTRODUCTION

Arousal incontinence (AI) is a lesser known complication of radical prostatectomy (RP), and few data are available on its impact on self-esteem and sexual relationships.

AIM

The goal of this study was to assess the impact of AI on patient self-esteem, confidence, and sexual relationships.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study. The validated Self-Esteem and Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire, as well as questions regarding AI, stress urinary incontinence (SUI), climacturia, International Prostate Symptom Score, and the International Index of Erectile Function erectile function domain, were sent to men who had undergone an RP within the past 24 months at a single institution. The data were de-identified and analyzed using descriptive statistics.

OUTCOMES

The outcomes of this study include prevalence of AI, SEAR domain scores, patient and partner bother, management strategies employed by the patients, and the presence of concurrent climacturia or SUI.

RESULTS

Fifty-three percent of men experienced post-operative AI; of these, 41% were currently experiencing AI, and 12% reported having prior AI that had resolved. Bother of any severity was reported by 87% of men, and perceived partner bother was reported by 64% of men. Forty-one percent of men with current AI avoided sexual activity due to the presence of AI, and 14% of men with prior AI still avoided intercourse. There was no difference in total SEAR score or in the subdomains of self-esteem, sexual relationship, or confidence between men with current AI compared to those with no AI.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

AI leads to patient bother and avoidance of sexual situations.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS

This is the largest study specifically evaluating AI and the only study assessing its impact on self-esteem, sexual relationships, and self-confidence. Limitations include lack of a validated AI questionnaire, poor survey response rate, being a single-center study, and the potential for recall bias.

CONCLUSION

Although AI is a common occurrence post-RP and is associated with patient bother in the majority of men, it does not impact overall self-esteem, confidence, or sexual relationships compared to post-RP men who have not experienced AI. Salter CA, Bach PV, Katz D, et al. The Relationship and Psychosocial Impact of Arousal Incontinence After Radical Prostatectomy. J Sex Med 2020;17:94-98.