Describing health-related outcomes for couples experiencing prostate cancer: differences and similarities

To describe health-related outcomes for couples dealing with prostate cancer before the patient started treatment and 6, 12, and 18 months after treatment.

Survey with longitudinal, comparative, and predictive elements.

Tertiary care nonprofit medical center in the southwestern United States.

A convenience sample of 216 patients treated for prostate cancer and their partners was enrolled. The mean age of patients was 68 years; 64 years for their partners. The average length of marriage was about 35 years. About 75% of patients and more than 50% of partners had at least some college education.

Study participants completed questionnaires before treatment and 6, 12, and 18 months after treatment.

Health-related quality of life, health status, and marital satisfaction.

Patients' scores were associated with partners' scores more than 50% of the time throughout the study. Relationship satisfaction was the most strongly related variable between patient and partner. Cross-lag analyses suggest that couples' scores demonstrate a reciprocal pattern of influence between the dyads throughout the study.

Patients' scores were associated with partners' scores on most outcome variables. Both are affected by prostate cancer and the treatment experience.

Nurses should actively include partners in all information and education sessions connected with prostate cancer treatment and follow-up. In addition, the unique experiences of partners of patients with prostate cancer should be identified and addressed.