PURPOSE: Few studies have evaluated changes in erectile function (EF) over time before and after prostate brachytherapy (PB) using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-15.
IIEF-15 is a sensitive and validated tool for the evaluation of male sexual dysfunction. In this prospective study, the natural history of EF after PB without supplemental therapies (external beam radiotherapy, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, and androgen deprivation therapy) was assessed using IIEF-15 questionnaires.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 119 patients who were followed-up for at least 12 months after PB between 2004 and 2010. Sexual status and EF status were assessed before PB (baseline), and 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months postoperatively using IIEF-15 questionnaires.
RESULTS: The mean total IIEF score, EF domain, orgasmic function domain, sexual desire domain, and intercourse satisfaction domain scores at 3 months after PB were significantly lower than those at baseline (p< 0.05) and remained lower until 36 months after PB. Of the 48 patients who had EF domain score ≥11 at baseline, EF was maintained for 12 months after PB in 16 men (33.3%). There were no significant differences in clinical features except between ages of patients who could maintain EF domain score and their counterparts 12 months after PB. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age ≥70 was the only predictive factor for exacerbating EF after PB (p=0.035).
CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that there was a global decrease in all domains of the IIEF score 12 months after PB and that patient age may influence PB-related potency preservation.
Written by:
Matsushima M, Kikuchi E, Maeda T, Nakashima J, Sugawara A, Ando T, Mizuno R, Nagata H, Miyajima A, Shigematsu N, Oya M. Are you the author?
Department of Urology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Reference: J Urol. 2012 Sep 24. pii: S0022-5347(12)04979-8.
doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2012.09.086
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23017516
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