Changes in the sexual function of male patients with rectal cancer over a 2‐year period from diagnosis to 24‐month follow‐up: A prospective, multicenter, cohort study. Issue 8 (21st September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sakamoto, Takashi; Hida, Koya; Hoshino, Nobuaki; Yamaguchi, Takashi; Manaka, Dai; Yamada, Masahiro; Kadokawa, Yoshio; Yamanokuchi, Satoshi; Kondo, Masato; Kanazawa, Akiyoshi; Abe, Hiroyasu; Okada, Tomoaki; Morita, Satoshi; Sakai, Yoshiharu
• Is Part Of: Journal of surgical oncology. Volume 122:Issue 8(2020)
• Page Start: 1647
• Page End: 1654
• Publication Date: 2020-09-21
• Subjects: male erectile dysfunction -- psychological -- quality of life -- rectal neoplasms -- sexual dysfunction; Cancer -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1002/jso.26222
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4790

Abstract

Abstract: Background and Objectives: This prospective study aimed to identify long‐term changes in sexual function of men with rectal cancer from point of diagnosis to 24 months postoperatively. Methods: Male patients undergoing laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery were prospectively enrolled. International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) Questionnaire scores were collected at diagnosis; first follow‐up; and 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Missing values were managed via multiple imputations using the propensity score method. Paired t tests were applied to examine changes in IIEF scores over time. Results: This study analyzed 115 patients. For erectile function, there were no significant changes in scores from the point of diagnosis to first treatment (9.4 vs. 9.8 as mean scores; p = .227). Scores deteriorated postoperatively and recovered until 12 months post‐surgery, but did not improve significantly from 12 months to 24 months post‐surgery (8.7 vs. 8.2 as mean scores; p = .440). This pattern of change was observed in all other domains: orgasmic function, sexual desire, orgasmic satisfaction, and overall satisfaction. Conclusions: Sexual function was not influenced by a rectal cancer diagnosis. Sexual function deteriorated following surgery and recovered until 12 months post‐surgery; however, it did not significantly improve from 12 months to 24 months postoperatively.