Changes in health utilities and health-related quality of life over 12 months following radical prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Although radical prostatectomy (RP) is an effective treatment for prostate cancer, it has potentially deleterious effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Utility is an important global measure of HRQoL. This utility is also used in decision-making models and economic evaluations. There are no published prospective data characterizing men's utilities for health outcomes post-RP.
METHODS: From July 2003 to June 2006, patients undergoing RP at the University Health Network in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, completed the Patient-Oriented Prostate Utility Scale (PORPUS), a disease-specific HRQoL and utility instrument. Men were included if they had clinically localized prostate cancer and had completed HRQoL measures prior to surgery and at least once within 9 to 18 months after the RP. Health-related quality of life was measured prior to surgery and at 4 stages after surgery: 0 to 3 months, 3 to 9 months, 9 to 18 months, and 18 to 30 months. Statistical analyses included pairwise t-tests and multivariable linear regression comparing changes in scores between baseline and the 9- to 18-month range.
RESULTS: Two hundred and thirteen men (mean age 60.9, median Gleason score 7) met the inclusion criteria. At baseline, HRQoL was high (mean PORPUS-P [psychometric] = 83.8). Scores declined sharply by 3 months (65.5, p < 0.001) and improved but did not reach baseline by 9-18 months (75.1, p < 0.001). Utility scores (PORPUS-U[utility]) showed the same pattern: 0.94 at baseline; 0.81 at 3 months (p < 0.001); and 0.88 at 9 to 18 months (p < 0.001). Predictors of HRQoL, including baseline PORPUS score, nerve-sparing surgery and smoking status, decline after RP.
CONCLUSION: Symptom scores are known to be affected up to 12 months after RP. Our study demonstrates that global health status also declines and remains affected 1 year after surgery.