Assessment of the quality of life and sexual functions of patients followed-up for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: preliminary results of the prospective-descriptive study

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate sexual functions and quality life of patients who are followed-up for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between March 2015-June 2016, 50 patients underwent cystoscopy for NMIBC. At the end of the 1st year follow-up patients were assessed for sexual functions using 5-item version of the International Sexual Function Index (IIEF-5) for male and the Female Sexual Function Index(FSFI) for female; for quality of life (QoL) by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Non-Muscle Invasiv Bladder Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-NMIBC24) and for emotional status by Beck depression inventory. RESULTS: There were 44 male and 6 female patients with the mean age of 57.6±11.5 years. Twenty patients received intravesical treatment after transurethral resection of bladder tumour. The mean Beck (10.7±9.5) IIEF-5 (15.6±5.9), FSFI (19.2±10.9), and the EORTC-QLQ NMBIC 24 (38.2±7.7) scores of the patients were determined as indicated. Among the patients, 42 (84%) of them were not feeling bad about their bladder tumors and 37 (74%) were not worrying about their daily lives. Moreover, 12 (24%) patients were not interested with sexuality, while 27 (54%) of them did not feel comfortable about sexual sincerity. Interestingly, 27 patients receiving intravesical treatment were concerned that the treatment they received for prevention of recurrence and progression of bladder tumor infect their partners during sexual intercourse. CONCLUSION: NMIBC affects patients' sexual functions and QoL negatively. Therefore during the follow-up of these patients, it is important to inform these patients accurately about their treatments to be applied and predicted complications in the follow up period.