Integrative assessment of sexual dysfunction in men after radical prostatectomy and their female partners

Aim. To assess sexual function in men who underwent radical prostatectomy and their female partners using the Index of Regulatory Adaptive Status (IRAS). Materials and methods. The study included healthy couples (n = 25) and couples (n = 50) in which male spouses underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) 6 months before. Men were surveyed using the IIEF-5, and QoL questionnaires and the FSFI was used to assess sexual function in women. IRAS was measured in all participants. Statistical analysis was performed using STATISTICA 10. Results. Erectile dysfunction, as measured by IIEF-5, was identified in men after nerve-sparing RP. They also had reduced QoL and IRAS scores. IRAS was more informative showing 49.0% lower scores than in healthy men, while ICEF-5 and QOL were lower by 32.6% and 46.2%, respectively. In men after non-nerve-sparing RP IRAS, IIEF-5, and QOL scores were 85.6%, 78.2%, and 75% lower than in healthy men. ED in men resulted in female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in their wives. Their IRAS scores were more informative in estimating FSD than FSFI. In women without FSD IRAS was 48.8% lower than in women with FSD, while FSFI was lower by 23.4%. Conclusion. The study findings suggest the feasibility of using IRAS to assess sexual dysfunction in men after radical prostatectomy and their female partners.

sexual and erectile dysfunction