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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
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1 to 6 of 6 Research Studies DisplayedGupta N, Zebib L, Wittmann D
Understanding the sexual health perceptions, concerns, and needs of female partners of prostate cancer survivors.
The adverse effects of prostate cancer (PCa) and its treatment can critically undermine the sexual well-being of patients and couples. However, limited research has been dedicated to understanding the influence of PCa-induced sexual dysfunction on the female partners of survivors. The purpose of this study was to carry out a qualitative investigation to comprehensively capture the perceptions of female partners regarding the repercussions of PCa on their sex lives, and their partners’ sexual health concerns and unfulfilled needs. The researchers conducted semi-structured telephonic interviews concerning sexual health and unfulfilled needs with female partners of PCa survivors. Participants were recruited from multiple clinical sites and PCa caregivers' support groups from September 2021 to March 2022. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and independently coded. The study outcomes were on the sexual health concerns and unfulfilled needs of the female partners. Of the 12 participants, the median age was 65 (between 53 and 81), nine identified as White, the median duration since their partner's PCa diagnosis was 2.25 years (ranging from 11 months to 20 years), and most reported their partner had undergone radical prostatectomy, radiation, and/or hormonal therapy. Major themes emerging from the study concerned the substantial effect of age- and PCa-related sexual dysfunction on the sexual quality of life for women, the joint nature of sexual dysfunction and recovery, the partner's role in managing and adapting to sexual dysfunction, communication barriers regarding sexual dysfunction within an intimate relationship, the absence of sexual health counseling and support from physicians, and the advantage of peer interactions and proactive information seeking in addressing unfulfilled sexual health needs. The study concluded that female partners perceive PCa-related sexual dysfunction as a shared issue for couples, express sorrow due to age- and PCa-related sexual losses, and experience a void in physician-led sexual health counseling and information.
AHRQ-funded; HS026120.
Citation: Gupta N, Zebib L, Wittmann D .
Understanding the sexual health perceptions, concerns, and needs of female partners of prostate cancer survivors.
J Sex Med 2023 Apr 27; 20(5):651-60. doi: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdad027..
Keywords: Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Cancer, Sexual Health, Women
Li R, Wittmann D, Nelson CJ
Unmet sexual health needs of patients and female partners following diagnosis and treatment for prostate cancer.
This study’s objective was to perform a qualitative study to identify unmet sexual needs of patients and female partners after prostate cancer diagnosis. The authors conducted a qualitative study of posts to the Inspire Us TOO Prostate Cancer Online Support and Discussion Community. They identified 6,192 posts in the Sexual Health & Intimacy forum of the community, of which 661 posts were from female authors. A random sample of 10% of posts from female partners and an equal number of randomly selected posts from male patients were analyzed. Multiple themes emerged that were unique to female partners of prostate cancer survivors including included expanding the sexual repertoire, feeling invisible, contextualizing sexual intimacy within the broader picture of survival, and addressing relationship concerns. Patients and their partners had common concerns, including not receiving sufficient information from healthcare providers regarding sexual side effects from prostate cancer and its treatment. A limitation may be that members of the online community may not be representative of all couples facing prostate cancer. This study also does not examine sexual health needs among gay and bisexual couples.
AHRQ-funded; HS026120.
Citation: Li R, Wittmann D, Nelson CJ .
Unmet sexual health needs of patients and female partners following diagnosis and treatment for prostate cancer.
J Sex Med 2022 Dec; 19(12):1797-803. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.08.195..
Keywords: Sexual Health, Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Cancer
Joyce DD, Wallis CJD, Luckenbaugh AN
Sexual function outcomes of radiation and androgen deprivation therapy for localized prostate cancer in men with good baseline function.
This retrospective review study sought to compare sexual function through 5 years for men undergoing radiation treatment for localized prostate cancer with and without systemic androgen deprivation therapy. Out of a cohort of 167 patients, 73 underwent radiation alone and 94 received androgen therapy deprivation therapy plus radiation. Androgen deprivation therapy was associated with worse sexual function through the first year regardless of disease risk. By 3 years the difference was no longer significant for the 51 patients with intermediate-risk disease. Worse sexual function for high-risk disease patients who received androgen deprivation therapy was shown at 3 years but not at 5 years.
AHRQ-funded; HS019356; HS022640.
Citation: Joyce DD, Wallis CJD, Luckenbaugh AN .
Sexual function outcomes of radiation and androgen deprivation therapy for localized prostate cancer in men with good baseline function.
Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 2022 Feb;25(2):238-47. doi: 10.1038/s41391-021-00405-5..
Keywords: Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Cancer, Sexual Health, Men's Health
Mullins BT, Basak R, Broughman JR
Patient-reported sexual quality of life after different types of radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy: analysis of a population-based prospective cohort.
This study compares the effects of different types of radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy on sexual function. A population-based cohort of 835 men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer from 2011 through 2013 was recruited in collaboration with the Rapid Case Ascertainment system of the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry. They were enrolled prior to treatment and followed retrospectively using the validated Prostate Cancer Symptom Indices (PCSI) instrument. The sexual function scores were compared among patients who received the following treatment types: external-beam RT (EBRT), EBRT with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), brachytherapy, nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy (RP), and non-nerve-sparing RP. The cohort was surveyed at 24 months post-therapy, and RT alone was found to result in the best preservation of sexual function with brachytherapy, RT with ADT, and nerve-sparing RP yielding similar outcomes. Patients treated with non-nerve-sparing RP experienced the worst sexual function outcome.
AHRQ-funded.
Citation: Mullins BT, Basak R, Broughman JR .
Patient-reported sexual quality of life after different types of radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy: analysis of a population-based prospective cohort.
Cancer 2019 Oct 15;125(20):3657-65. doi: 10.1002/cncr.32288..
Keywords: Quality of Life, Sexual Health, Surgery, Treatments, Comparative Effectiveness, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes, Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Cancer, Evidence-Based Practice
Reeve BB, Wang M, Weinfurt K
Psychometric evaluation of PROMIS sexual function and satisfaction measures in a longitudinal population-based cohort of men with localized prostate cancer.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sexual Function and Satisfaction (SexFS) measures. A population-based cohort of men with localized prostate cancer who were living in North Carolina and who could self-report their health-related quality of life in English completed surveys via phone interviews prior to treatment and at 3, 12, and 24 months after cancer treatment initiation. The researchers’ hypothesis was that men undergoing prostatectomy surgery would report the poorest sexual function at the 3-month survey. The study concludes that use of the PROMIS SexFS measures to assess sexual interest, erectile function, and satisfaction is strongly supported, and that these measures may be useful to identify effective interventions to treat sexual dysfunction and monitor sexual functioning in men with localized prostate cancer over time.
AHRQ-funded; 29020050040ITO6.
Citation: Reeve BB, Wang M, Weinfurt K .
Psychometric evaluation of PROMIS sexual function and satisfaction measures in a longitudinal population-based cohort of men with localized prostate cancer.
J Sex Med 2018 Dec;15(12):1792-810. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.09.015..
Keywords: Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Men's Health, Sexual Health
Resnick MJ, Barocas DA, Morgans AK
The evolution of self-reported urinary and sexual dysfunction over the last two decades: implications for comparative effectiveness research.
This study evaluated differences in pretreatment urinary and sexual function in two population-based cohorts of men with prostate cancer enrolled nearly 20 yrs. apart. It concluded that reporting of pretreatment urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction has increased over the past two decades. These findings may reflect sociological changes including heightened media attention and direct-to-consumer marketing, among other potential explanations.
AHRQ-funded; HS019356; HS022640; HS022990.
Citation: Resnick MJ, Barocas DA, Morgans AK .
The evolution of self-reported urinary and sexual dysfunction over the last two decades: implications for comparative effectiveness research.
Eur Urol 2015 Jun;67(6):1019-25. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2014.08.035..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Cancer, Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Sexual Health