Baseline patient reported outcomes data shows high prevalence of overactive bladder, sexual dysfunction, depression and anxiety in Canadian men with newly diagnosed localized prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND

Research on prostate cancer survivorship patients has largely been on oncological outcome, incontinence and erectile dysfunction, with less data on the relationship between prostate cancer, bladder function and mental health. This study aims to elucidate the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), overactive bladder (OAB), sexual dysfunction, depression and anxiety in Canadian men with newly diagnosed localised prostate cancer.

METHODS

This is a single-centre prospective cross-sectional study of men with newly diagnosed localized prostate cancer recruited from June 2017 to July 2018. The patient-reported outcomes (PRO) instruments used in this study included the international prostate symptoms score (IPSS), OAB-V8, EQ-5D™, and the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite short form (EPIC-26). Clinico-pathological data were extracted from medical records. The prevalence of LUTS, OAB, sexual dysfunction, depression and anxiety were determined from the PROs.

RESULTS

A total of 83 patients were included in this study. The median age was 63. Based on IPSS scores, 55.3% of men had mild LUTS, 36.8% had moderate LUTS and 7.9% had severe LUTS. Based on OAB-V8 scores, 55.8% of men had a score of 8 or higher, suggestive of OAB. Only 55.8% of men reported erections adequate for intercourse. 23.1% of men reported to have a moderate to big problem with depression, and 28.8% of men reported to have a degree of anxiety or depression.

CONCLUSIONS

OAB is a significant problem in men with newly diagnosed localized prostate cancer, with a prevalence of 55.8% based on this study. Baseline sexual dysfunction, anxiety and depression are also prevalent in this population.