INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:
The prevalence of continence after prostatectomy varies noticeably, with a reported range of 13% to 97.5%, depending on the definition of continence considered. Nine definitions of post-prostatectomy continence have been identified in the literature. Herein, we report on the continence rates using 6 different definitions of post-prostatectomy continence.
METHODS:
A prospectively maintained database of men undergoing RARP by a single surgeon in a regional cancer center between 2003 and 2019 was retrospectively analyzed. All men completed ICIQ-UI-SF questionnaire and a question on pad usage at baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 months after RP. Six different definitions were applied including ICIQ score 0, ICIQ score <5, ICIQ score improvement or return to baseline, 0 Pad use, 0 or safety pad use and 0 or 1 pad use.
RESULTS:
Of the 1000 men included in the study, 76.6% reported pre-operative ICIQ-UI-SF score of 0. When continence is defined as "0 or 1 pad use", continence rate at 24 months was found to be 98%, however, when “ICIQ-UI-SF score 0” definition was applied, it dropped to 58.6%. Continence rates varied between 11.9%-68%, 23.7-86%, 35.6%-95%, 45.8%-97%, 55%-97% and 58.6%-98% at 6 weeks, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months respectively depending on whether the most strict or most inclusive definition was applied.
CONCLUSIONS:
The post prostatectomy continence definition applied may have a significant impact on the reported outcome. The findings of this study underpins the importance to standardize the definition of post-prostatectomy continence to ensure the balance among reliability of reporting.
Source of Funding:
NA
