Genitourinary Functioning and Depressive Symptoms Over Time In Younger Versus Older Men Treated for Prostate Cancer
- PDF / 193,051 Bytes
- 9 Pages / 595.276 x 790.866 pts Page_size
- 68 Downloads / 192 Views
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Genitourinary Functioning and Depressive Symptoms Over Time In Younger Versus Older Men Treated for Prostate Cancer Katherine J. Roberts, Ed.D., M.P.H. & Stephen J. Lepore, Ph.D. & Alexandra L. Hanlon, Ph.D. & Vicki Helgeson, Ph.D.
Published online: 12 August 2010 # The Society of Behavioral Medicine 2010
Abstract Background/Purpose This study examined the relation of age to genitourinary functioning and depressive symptoms over time and examined how age influences the relation between genitourinary functioning and depressive symptoms over time in men treated for localized prostate cancer. Methods Participants were 234 men who completed interviews that assessed genitourinary functioning and depressive symptoms at 2, 4, 10 and 16 months after treatment. Analyses were statistically controlled for potential confounds. Results Compared with younger men (≤65.5), older men had significantly poorer sexual function and slower improvement. Level of urinary functioning was inversely associated with level of depressive symptoms regardless of age. Level of sexual functioning was inversely associated with level of depressive symptoms but only in younger men. K. J. Roberts (*) Department of Health and Behavior Studies, Teachers College Columbia University, Box 114, 525 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA e-mail: [email protected] S. J. Lepore Temple University, 1801 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA A. L. Hanlon University of Pennsylvania, 3451 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2612, USA V. Helgeson Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
Conclusion Interventions may be particularly helpful for all men with urinary dysfunction and for younger men with sexual dysfunction in order to improve symptoms of depression. Keywords Prostate cancer . Age . Sexual functioning . Urinary functioning . Depression . Quality of life
Introduction Prostate cancer is the most common noncutaneous cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in men [1]. Prostate cancer was once thought to be a disease of elderly men, but the use of prostate screening tests such as the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test has increased the detection of early-stage disease [2], resulting in increased diagnosis in younger men [3]. The present study adds to the literature [4–7] on how age might influence trajectories of improvements in functioning following prostate cancer treatments, as well as how older and younger men adjust emotionally to the physical impairments that accompany prostate cancer and its treatments. Due to early detection, it is estimated that 91% of new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed at local or regional stages, for which 5-year relative survival approaches 100% [1]. Despite high survival rates, prostate cancer treatments can undermine quality of life in both younger and older men. Treatments for localized prostate cancer can have profound adverse effects on urinary and sexual functioning [3]. Common side effects of treatment include an increased urgency and
Data Loading...
