Pelvic symptoms after radiotherapy in prostate cancer: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Introduction: Despite the technical and scientific progress that improved therapeutic resources available in Oncology, adverse effects of treatment can be prominent, impacting the quality of life (QoL). Objective: This research aims to determine the prevalence of post-radiotherapy pelvic symptoms in prostate cancer (PC) and its impact on QoL. Methods: We assessed three groups of patients at different stages during radiotherapy (RT): Pre-RT, evaluated before of RT; Post-RT#1, evaluated between six months and one year post-RT; Post-RT#2, evaluated between two and a half and four years post-RT. The presence of urinary incontinence (UI), its characteristics and impact on daily living activities (DLA) were evaluated by ICIQ-SF questionnaire. WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used to assess QoL. Student t test was used, considering significant p < 0.05. Results: Thirty-three men were assessed (pre-RT, n = 12; Post-RT#1, n = 10; Post-RT#2, n = 11). The prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) was highest in Post-RT#1 group. Post-RT#2 group had the highest prevalence of post-RT UI. In QoL, Pre-RT and Post-RT#2 groups experiencing the greatest impact on physical, environmental and overall QoL. Conclusion: Acute effect of RT is characterized by a high prevalence of LUTS. Post-RT#2 group experienced the most adverse effects on DLA due to a higher prevalence of post-RT UI.

摘要 引言：尽管肿瘤学领域的治疗资源随着技术与科研进步得到了显著改善，但治疗相关不良反应仍可能较为显著，对患者的生活质量（Quality of Life, QoL）造成不良影响。研究目的：本研究旨在明确前列腺癌（Prostate Cancer, PC）放疗后盆腔症状的患病率及其对患者生活质量的影响。研究方法：本研究对放疗（Radiotherapy, RT）不同阶段的三组患者进行了评估：放疗前组（Pre-RT），于放疗前完成评估；放疗后1组（Post-RT#1），于放疗后6个月至1年期间完成评估；放疗后2组（Post-RT#2），于放疗后2.5年至4年期间完成评估。采用国际尿失禁咨询委员会简表（International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form, ICIQ-SF）评估尿失禁（Urinary Incontinence, UI）的发生情况、特征及其对日常活动（Daily Living Activities, DLA）的影响。采用世界卫生组织生活质量量表简版（World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF, WHOQOL-BREF）评估患者的生活质量。本研究采用Student t检验进行统计分析，以P<0.05作为差异具有统计学意义的判定标准。研究结果：本研究共评估了33例男性患者，其中放疗前组12例、放疗后1组10例、放疗后2组11例。下尿路症状（Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, LUTS）的患病率在放疗后1组中最高。放疗后2组的放疗后尿失禁患病率最高。在生活质量方面，放疗前组与放疗后2组在生理、环境及总体生活质量维度上受影响程度最大。研究结论：放疗的急性不良反应以高患病率的下尿路症状为主要特征。放疗后2组患者由于放疗后尿失禁的患病率更高，其日常活动受到的不良影响最为显著。