The impact of post-urethroplasty erectile dysfunction on the quality of life and treatment satisfaction

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this article was to assess the influence of sexual disorders after urethroplasty on patient's quality of life (QoL) and satisfaction of treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 106 sexually active patients who underwent urethroplasty due to urethral stricture. Patients completed the Urethral Stricture Surgery – Patient Reported Outcome Measure (USS – PROM) and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaires before and after the treatment. Spearman rank correlations were used for correlation analyses. Multiple linear regression and ordinal logistic regression analyses were used for evaluating the influence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and IIEF-5 scores on EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) index, EuroQol-Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS), and satisfaction with treatment. Both LUTS and IIEF-5 scores were independent, significant predictors of EQ-VAS in the multiple linear regression model. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 9 months (3–24). Reduction of LUTS and micturition improvement in the USS-PROM questionnaire after the surgery was found in 90 patients (85%). The average IIEF-5 score in the whole group did not change significantly, but in 39 cases (37%) worsened, and in 42 (39%) improved. Spearman's rank-order correlation indicated a significant positive correlation between improvement in IIEF-5 and general QoL in EQ-5D and also a positive correlation between improvement in IIEF-5 and improvement in EQ-VAS, which was also statistically significant (rho = 0.377, p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Urethral surgery can influence sexual performance. The appearance of sexual dysfunction negatively affects the patient's quality of life, regardless of the effective restoration of the urethral patency and reduction of LUTS.