Study of generic quality of life in patients operated on for post-prostatectomy incontinence

Background The relationship between urological and psychosocial variables, and generic quality of life in patients operated on for post-prostatectomy incontinence has hardly been studied, and our aim was to investigate this relationship. Methods Patients who had an artificial urinary sphincter AMS800 (n = 100) implanted between January 2002 and June 2010 were invited to complete a mailed questionnaire covering demographic data including work ability, urinary and sexual function, anxiety/depression, and generic quality of life. Poor quality of life was defined as a score <40 on either the physical or the mental Short Form 12 summary scales. Results Of 85 compliant patients, 30 (35%) reported poor generic quality of life and 55 (65%) reported better quality of life at a median follow-up time of 26 months (range 6–104 months). The poor quality of life group showed significantly more overall urinary and sexual problems, and more men had undergone surgical revisions compared with the better quality of life group. Levels of anxiety and depression were significantly higher, and work ability was lower in the poor quality of life group. In multivariate logistic regression models, increased level of depression and impaired work ability, inability to reach orgasm, and not recommending the operation remained significantly associated with poor quality of life. Conclusion Poor generic quality of life after surgery for post-prostatectomy incontinence is more strongly associated with reduced work ability and depression rather than urinary and sexual problems.