Erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy (RP) continues to cause men significant levels of ... programme is needed given that only 41% of patients scheduled for a radical prostatectomy ...... bilateral nerve-sparing radical retropubic.
BJUI
Assessing couples’ preferences for postoperative sexual rehabilitation before radical prostatectomy
BJU INTERNATIONAL
B. Joyce Davison, Andrew Matthew*, Stacy Elliott†, Erin Breckon‡ and Shannon Griffin§ College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, *Department of Surgery and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto and The Prostate Centre, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, ON, †Department of Psychiatry and Department of Urological Sciences, University of British Columbia, ‡Department of Education and Counseling Psychology, and §Men’s Health Initiative of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada Accepted for publication 10 November 2011
Study Type – Therapy (patient’s preference) Level of Evidence 2b OBJECTIVES • To evaluate the readiness of couples to engage in a sexual rehabilitation programme (SRP) before radical prostatectomy (RP) and to identify barriers to participation in an SRP after RP. • To identify couples’ current levels of sexual function and intimacy. PATIENTS AND METHODS • Patients completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and their partners completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) to measure sexual function. • Couples completed the Miller Social Intimacy Scale (MSIS) to measure intimacy in relationships. • All participants were seen by a sexual health clinician after completing the measures to discuss barriers to participation in an SRP, and to receive an education session.
What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy (RP) continues to cause men significant levels of distress, but few report being satisfied with the erectile aids that are prescribed. Most couples who do seek treatment report difficulty in maintaining sexual activity and intimate relationships. Although inclusion of partners in sexual rehabilitation programmes may be beneficial, partners are usually not included as part of current treatment protocols. Preoperative assessment of a couple’s readiness to engage in a sexual rehabilitation programme is needed given that only 41% of patients scheduled for a radical prostatectomy during the study period agreed to be in the study. Results show that although patients have mild erectile function, their partners’ overall levels of sexual function suggest a need for further medical evaluation. Patients want their partners to be included in the sexual rehabilitation process but few institutions currently offer couple-based rehabilitation programmes. Although intimacy levels of couples are high preoperatively, there is a need to prospectively determine how these levels are impacted by changes in sexual function postoperatively.
