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Urinary incontinence after radical retropubic prostatectomy is not related to patient body mass index

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases volume 9, pages 153–159 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

To determine if a relationship exists between patient body habitus and urinary incontinence after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) for clinically localized prostate cancer. A questionnaire developed by combining parts of lower urinary tract symptom questionnaires concerning voiding symptoms after RRP was mailed to 268 consecutive patients who underwent RRP over a 2-year period. The interval between surgery and questionnaire administration was greater than 24 months for each patient. No interval was greater than 54 months. The questionnaire attempted to overcome the subjectivity of patient documented urinary incontinence by probing different aspects of each patient's voiding symptoms. Body mass index (BMI), obtained from preoperative anesthesia records, was used as the measurement for body habitus. Pearson correlations were used to determine relationships between BMI and responses and the independent t-test was used to determine differences between grouped responses and BMI. One hundred and eighty-two of 268 (68%) questionnaires were returned. No relationship was detected between BMI and patient estimates of urinary control, QOL relating to urinary symptoms, severity of stress incontinence, or use of protection (pad use). As well, no statistically significant relationship was found between BMI and a patient's willingness to undergo RRP again, based on his voiding symptoms, if given the choice. In conclusion, although patient body habitus may be related to other clinical outcomes following RRP, there does not appear to be a relationship of BMI to post-RRP urinary incontinence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Mason City Clinic, Mason City, IA, USA

    T L Mulholland

  2. Department of Urology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, USA

    P N Huynh, A C Diokno & K M Peters

  3. Department of Biostatistics, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, USA

    R R Huang

  4. Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA

    C Wong

Authors
  1. T L Mulholland
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  2. P N Huynh
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  3. R R Huang
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  4. C Wong
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  5. A C Diokno
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  6. K M Peters
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to T L Mulholland.

Appendix A

Appendix A

Beaumont Urinary Symptoms after Prostatectomy Survey

Thank you for assisting us in our study of prostate cancer. This survey should take only a short amount of time to complete. Men without any uncontrolled urine loss will only complete sections A and B. It is important for our study for you to answer all of the applicable questions. This is strictly confidential. If you have any questions, call (XXX) XXX–XXXX).

Thank you for completing this survey. All information will strictly be confidential. With your help, we can continue to learn more about prostate cancer and prostate cancer surgery.

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Mulholland, T., Huynh, P., Huang, R. et al. Urinary incontinence after radical retropubic prostatectomy is not related to patient body mass index. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 9, 153–159 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.pcan.4500860

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.pcan.4500860

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