People suffering from prostate cancer are known to face many issues pertaining to sexual health post treatment. Now, a study conducted by the Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urologic Research Endeavor team has apparently predicted erectile dysfunction after patients have undergone treatment for prostate cancer based on individual patient and treatment attributes.
Factors such as personal characteristics, sexual health related quality of life and treatment procedures were analyzed for those who enrolled from 2003 to 2006. This data was then used to develop models that indicated erectile dysfunction 2 years following treatment. The processes that these participants went through include prostatectomy, external radiotherapy or brachytherapy for prostate cancer. Outcomes related to sexual matters after the 2 year follow-up were then used to develop the model among 1913 patients.
After 2 years of treatment, 368 among all the patients reported functional erections. Of those with functional erections before treatment reported the same as well. Around 531 of them reportedly used medications or other instruments for sexual dysfunction. All the aforesaid factors including score, age, race and ethnicity were seemingly linked to functional erections after 2 years following treatment.
In this 2-year follow-up, scientists could correctly predict sexual function in 77% of prostate cancer patients who went through prostatectomy, 87% of those who underwent external radiotherapy and 90% of those who experienced brachytherapy. One of the main measures related to outcomes that came forward was that patient-reported functional erections may be appropriate for intercourse 2 years after the prostate cancer treatment is over.
The study is published in JAMA.