RESUMEN
The lower urinary tract anatomy in men after radical prostatectomy (RP) resembles that in women. Out of 112 male patients who had undergone RP for localized prostate cancer, 102 (91%) of them responded to a questionnaire survey. The mean age of the responders at the time of RP was 65.9 +/- 5.3 years. The time of response after RP ranged from 2 months to 6 years (median: 44 months). The instruments used for the assessment of urinary status were the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and QOL score, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS). Urinary status of 40 elderly female patients aged 59.5 +/- 6.9 years who consulted our outpatient clinic due to conditions (microhematuria, simple renal cyst, etc.) unrelated to lower urinary tract disorders were assessed with the IPSS. In the male patients, total IPSS and QOL score showed significant improvement over time after RP (P = 0.0004, P = 0.0015, respectively). In particular, the voiding symptom score of IPSS showed significant improvement (P < 0.0001). The improvement of incontinence within 1 year after RP was confirmed with ICIQ-SF (p = 0.06). In contrast, the storage symptom score of IPSS after RP was not different with time after RP. Furthermore, the OABSS rose with time after RP (p = 0.08). On the other hand, in the elderly female controls, the storage symptom score of IPSS was significantly higher than voiding symptom score (P = 0.0019). Men who underwent RP showed significant improvement in their voiding symptoms and continence status, but the storage symptoms, progressively worsened following RP. Consequently, careful follow-up and appropriate medical intervention are needed in men after RP as in aging women.