Purpose: Patient-reported outcomes after radical prostatectomy have focused on erectile function. To date, no studies have validated the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sexual Interest and Satisfaction single item measures in patients with prostate cancer, nor have studies examined how these measures relate to erectile function. In addition, data are lacking with regard to the clinical responsiveness of these measures to treatment. We sought to validate and examine the clinical utility of these measures in men after radical prostatectomy.
Patients and methods: We identified men who underwent a robotic radical prostatectomy from May 2014 to January 2016 in the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative. A single item from the PROMIS Global Satisfaction With Sex Life subdomain and a single item from the PROMIS Interest in Sexual Activity subdomain were administered. Erectile function was also assessed. Differences between baseline and 24-month T-scores for both PROMIS interest and satisfaction were examined. Multilevel models were constructed to examine change over time.
Results: A total of 1,604 patients were included in the analysis. Convergent and discriminant validity of the PROMIS measures was supported. The mean PROMIS interest T-score decreased significantly from baseline to 3 months (P = .001) and significantly increased from 3 months to 24 months in this cohort, with 24-month scores exceeding baseline scores (P < .001). The mean PROMIS satisfaction T-score declined from baseline to 3 months and increased from 3 months to 24 months (P < .002).
Conclusion: PROMIS Global Satisfaction With Sex Life and Interest in Sexual Activity single-item measures are fundamental measures in prostate cancer survivorship. Patients are interested in sex despite functional losses and can salvage satisfaction, thereby giving insight into attainable patient-centered survivorship goals for sexual recovery after radical prostatectomy.