Yuka Hayama1,2, Hiroshi Doi2,3, Tae Hasegawa2, Yumi Minami4, Noriko Ichimura5, Mariko Koike6, Hiroya Shiomi2, Ryoong-Jin Oh2, Fumiko Oishi7. 1. Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Kyoto, Japan. 2. Miyakojima IGRT Clinic, Osaka, Japan. 3. Department of Radiation Oncology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan. 4. Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Mukogawa Women's University, Nishinomiya, Japan. 5. Kindai University Nara Hospital, Nara, Japan. 6. Toyonaka Municipal Hospital, Osaka, Japan. 7. Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Seirei Christopher University, Shizuoka, Japan.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to collect data on the characteristics, degree, and natural course of urinary complications, as well as self-care for such complications, in patients during and after prostate intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). METHODS: Quality of life data were collected retrospectively for all eligible patients who underwent IMRT. In all eligible patients, urinary symptoms were evaluated using questionnaires and face-to-face interview. Participants were asked to respond to a self-administered questionnaire concerning the core lower urinary tract symptom score during the course of IMRT and up to 12 months after the completion of IMRT. RESULTS: In all, 29 eligible patients were included in the study. The frequency of urinary symptoms increased over of the course of IMRT, decreased at ≥3 months after completion of IMRT, and disappeared 6 months after IMRT. Responses to the questionnaire revealed a variety of approaches to self-care and adaptations by patients to manage urinary symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: During and after IMRT for localized prostate cancer, patients often developed more frequent urination and urgency than at the start of IMRT, and recovered 3-6 months after the completion of IMRT. Based on the present study, clinicians and nurses could help convey this information to patients and thus offer better support.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to collect data on the characteristics, degree, and natural course of urinary complications, as well as self-care for such complications, in patients during and after prostate intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). METHODS: Quality of life data were collected retrospectively for all eligible patients who underwent IMRT. In all eligible patients, urinary symptoms were evaluated using questionnaires and face-to-face interview. Participants were asked to respond to a self-administered questionnaire concerning the core lower urinary tract symptom score during the course of IMRT and up to 12 months after the completion of IMRT. RESULTS: In all, 29 eligible patients were included in the study. The frequency of urinary symptoms increased over of the course of IMRT, decreased at ≥3 months after completion of IMRT, and disappeared 6 months after IMRT. Responses to the questionnaire revealed a variety of approaches to self-care and adaptations by patients to manage urinary symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: During and after IMRT for localized prostate cancer, patients often developed more frequent urination and urgency than at the start of IMRT, and recovered 3-6 months after the completion of IMRT. Based on the present study, clinicians and nurses could help convey this information to patients and thus offer better support.