Anxiety, depression, urinary continence, and sexuality in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy: preliminary findings

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Evaluate the relationship between psychological distress, namely anxiety and depression, with urinary continence and recovery of erectile function in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP). Methods We retrospectively analyzed data from 33 consecutive patients who underwent RP in a single tertiary-referral academy between 01/2018 to 01/2019. We used the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15), the Sexual Complaints Screener for Men (SCS-M), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), validated questionnaires for the assessment of sexual function, anxiety, and depression experiences, respectively. These questionnaires were administered at the pre-surgical visit, after surgery, and at intermediate follow-ups (three, six, and twelve months). Results The analysis of the questionnaires completed during follow-up shows that erectile function is the most affected, with 90% erectile dysfunction (ED) at three months after surgery. In terms of emotional states, anxiety prevails in the first months following surgery and is statistically significantly associated with incontinence (p = 0.02). Depressive symptoms, on the other hand, appear later and prevail over anxiety at six months after surgery, although not statistically significant. Conclusions In the early post-surgical phase anxiety and ED are the most frequently detected components, while depressive experiences and decreased desire, typical of later stages, have not yet fully emerged.