Overactive Bladder and Storage Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Following Radical Prostatectomy

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Oncology
• Medical Science

Background:

• Overactive bladder (OAB) and storage lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are significant concerns for patients following radical prostatectomy (RP).
• Understanding the incidence and risk factors for these symptoms is crucial for patient management post-treatment.
• The impact of adjuvant or salvage radiation therapy on OAB development after RP requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the rate of new-onset OAB and storage LUTS after RP.
• To evaluate whether subsequent radiation therapy increases the risk of developing OAB post-RP.
• To assess the treatment patterns for OAB in men after prostate cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 875 patients undergoing open RP between January 2006 and June 2011.
• Analysis of primary outcomes: proportion of patients with new OAB and time to OAB development.
• Cox survival analysis to assess the impact of radiation therapy on OAB development, adjusting for covariates.

Main Results:

• 19% of patients developed de novo OAB post-RP; 29% experienced other storage LUTS (nocturia, frequency, urgency, urge incontinence).
• Radiation therapy was significantly associated with an increased hazard of OAB (Hazard Ratio 5.59, P < .001) after adjusting for multiple factors.
• Only 41% of men diagnosed with de novo OAB received treatment, indicating potential under-treatment.

Conclusions:

• OAB and storage LUTS are prevalent following radical prostatectomy.
• Adjuvant or salvage radiation therapy is a significant risk factor for developing OAB after RP.
• OAB appears to be under-treated in men undergoing prostate cancer treatment, necessitating improved management strategies.