Changes in health utilities and health-related quality of life over 12 months following radical prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION

Although radical prostatectomy (RP) is an effective treatment for prostate cancer, it has potentially deleterious effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Utility is an important global measure of HRQoL. This utility is also used in decision-making models and economic evaluations. There are no published prospective data characterizing men's utilities for health outcomes post-RP.

METHODS

From July 2003 to June 2006, patients undergoing RP at the University Health Network in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, completed the Patient-Oriented Prostate Utility Scale (PORPUS), a disease-specific HRQoL and utility instrument. Men were included if they had clinically localized prostate cancer and had completed HRQoL measures prior to surgery and at least once within 9 to 18 months after the RP. Health-related quality of life was measured prior to surgery and at 4 stages after surgery: 0 to 3 months, 3 to 9 months, 9 to 18 months, and 18 to 30 months. Statistical analyses included pairwise t-tests and multivariable linear regression comparing changes in scores between baseline and the 9- to 18-month range.

RESULTS

Two hundred and thirteen men (mean age 60.9, median Gleason score 7) met the inclusion criteria. At baseline, HRQoL was high (mean PORPUS-P [psychometric] = 83.8). Scores declined sharply by 3 months (65.5, p < 0.001) and improved but did not reach baseline by 9-18 months (75.1, p < 0.001). Utility scores (PORPUS-U[utility]) showed the same pattern: 0.94 at baseline; 0.81 at 3 months (p < 0.001); and 0.88 at 9 to 18 months (p < 0.001). Predictors of HRQoL, including baseline PORPUS score, nerve-sparing surgery and smoking status, decline after RP.

CONCLUSION

Symptom scores are known to be affected up to 12 months after RP. Our study demonstrates that global health status also declines and remains affected 1 year after surgery.