Recently urodynamic and quality of life assessment in the non-menopausal women with cervical cancer after radical hysterectomy

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the pre- and postoperative changes in the recently urodynamic and quality of life (QoL) in nonmenopausal women diagnosed with cervical cancer and treated with radical hysterectomy (RH).

Patients and methods: Twenty-eight nonmenopausal women (28-49 years) with cervical carcinoma (FIGO stage Ia2-IIa) underwent a radical hysterectomy. Urodynamic studies were performed 1 week before (U0) and 3-6 months (U1) after surgery. A self-administered condition-specific QoL questionnaire (PFDI-20, PFIQ-7) was applied at U0 and U1.

Results: Data from the urodynamics analysis performed at U1 showed that the average first sensation volume (119.39 ± 12.28 ml vs 150.43 ± 31.45 ml, P < 0.001), the residual urine volume (6.39 ± 10.44 ml vs. 42.32 ± 33.72 ml, P < 0.001), and the time of urination (46.10 ± 16.65 s vs. 74.31 ± 23.94 s, P < 0.001) were increased, while the bladder volume at a strong desire to void (448.89 ± 86.62 ml vs. 322.82 ± 50.89 ml, P < 0.001), the bladder compliance (82.63 ± 58.06 ml/cmH₂O vs. 37.45 ± 28.66 ml/cmH₂O, P < 0.001), the average flow rate (Qave) (23.86 ± 4.25 ml/s vs. 12.57 ± 2.37 ml/s, P < 0.001), the maximum natural flow rate (Qmax) (25.42 ± 6.46 ml/s vs. 14.43 ± 5.32 ml/s, P < 0.001), and the pressure at a peak flow rate (PdetQmax) (36.53 ± 11.20 cmH₂O vs. 31.43 ± 10.56 cmH₂O, P < 0.05) were decreased. At the same time, functional pelvic problems derived from prolapse (PFDI-20 scores) and their impact on the patients' Qol (PFIQ-7 score) were significantly improved at 3-6 months postoperation.

Conclusion: Radical hysterectomy results in urodynamic changes, and 3-6 months postoperation may be an important period for changes in bladder dysfunction after RH. Urodynamic and QoL analyses may provide methods for assessing symptoms.

Keywords: Quality of life; Radical hysterectomy; Urodynamics analysis.