Objectives: To evaluate the impact of retropubic radical prostatectomy (RP) on urinary incontinence and obstructive/irritative urinary symptoms, according to global self-assessment instruments.
Methods: Self-report assessments were provided by 120 patients who underwent RP alone. The University of California, Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA PCI), the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and the IPSS quality of life (QOL) score were administered before and 12 months after RP.
Results: Overall mean total IPSS and IPSS QOL scores showed statistically significant improvement (both P < 0.001). There were no differences between baseline and postoperative scores in "Voiding frequency" or "Nocturia" related to irritative symptoms. Moreover, RP had adverse effects on the nocturia and voiding frequency composites score when the analysis was limited to those men who reported scores of 0 or 1 for each symptom preoperatively (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). The urinary function score according to the UCLA PCI had substantially declined at 12 months compared with baseline (P < 0.001); however, no significant differences were observed in urinary bother between the baseline and postoperative scores.
Conclusions: Although a significant proportion of men complained of urinary incontinence, RP significantly improved IPSS and IPSS QOL scores in men with moderate or severe urinary symptoms. However, RP seems to have a deleterious effect on nocturia and voiding frequency for some men with only mild symptoms.