HRQoL after prostatic surgery in patients with BPH in Singapore
In patients with severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who do not respond to pharmacological treatments, prostatic surgery, such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), is the only option.1
In a recent descriptive, correlative study Yim et al evaluated health-related quality of life (HRQoL), psychological health, sexual functionand predictors of HRQoL in 94 patients after prostatic surgery for BPH in Singapore.1
The investigators carried out assessments using the 12-item Short Form Health Survey version 2, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and 5-item International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF-5).1
Following prostatic surgery the patients experienced poorer physical health but better mental health compared to the norms of the general population and comparable studies in western countries. 1
Even after prostatic surgery, moderate LUTS, measured by IPSS, were reported by >25% of patients and severe erectile dysfunction, measured by IIEF-5, was reported by 13.8% of patients.1
Significant predictors of poor physical health included LUTS (p=0.02) and maximum urinary flow rate (p=0.02), accounting for 45.9% of variance.1 Predictors of poor mental health included HADS-Anxiety (p<0.01) and LUTS (p=0.03), accounting for 57.2% of variance. 1
The authors concluded that the overall physical health of patients with BPH was poor following prostatic surgery. Patients with severe LUTS, low maximum flow rate and symptoms of anxiety should be given particular attention.1