The aim of this study was to assess postprostatectomy erectile function compared to preoperative status by subjective patient perception and the abbreviated International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire.
The study used data from a prospectively collected database and a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study in patients following radical prostatectomy. Erectile function was assessed with the IIEF-5 and the question "Is your erectile function as good as before the surgery (yes/no)". Patients were included if they were sexually active before surgery and had at least 1 year of follow-up. The main outcome measure was the proportion of patients returning to self-perceived baseline erectile function. Secondary outcome measures included the proportion of patients returning to baseline erectile function according to the IIEF-5 and predictors of return to baseline function.
Questionnaires from 210 patients were available. Overall, 14 patients (6. 7%) reported that their erections were as good as before surgery. Bilateral nerve-sparing was the only significant predictor of a return to baseline erectile function (p = 0. 004). Forty-three patients (20. 5%), who did not report use of erectile aids, showed no decline in IIEF-5 score. When including patients who used erectogenic aids, 69 (32. 9%) maintained their preoperative IIEF-5 score. On multivariate analysis a low preoperative IIEF-5 score was a significant predictor of return to baseline IIEF-5 score (p < 0. 0001).
Return to subjective baseline erectile function following radical prostatectomy is rare. The IIEF-5 questionnaire may not adequately reflect patients' experience. This should be considered in preoperative patient counselling.
Scandinavian journal of urology. 2015 Nov 05 [Epub ahead of print]
Mikkel Fode, Anders Frey, Henrik Jakobsen, Jens Sønksen
a Department of Urology , Herlev Hospital , Herlev , Denmark ;, a Department of Urology , Herlev Hospital , Herlev , Denmark ;, a Department of Urology , Herlev Hospital , Herlev , Denmark ;, a Department of Urology , Herlev Hospital , Herlev , Denmark ;