Evaluation of Bowel Function Following Radical Cystectomy and Urinary Diversion Using Two Validated Questionnaires: What Are the Effects on Quality of Life?

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To assess both short- and long-term constipation symptoms and their impact on quality of life in patients who underwent radical cystectomy (RC) with three different types of urinary diversion: orthotopic neobladder (ONB), continent cutaneous diversion (CCD), and ileal conduit (IC). MATERIALS AND METHODS The validated Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms (PAC−SYM) and Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) questionnaires were administered to all patients at follow-up greater than 30 days from surgery. Clinical and pathological characteristics were prospectively recorded in an institutional review board approved bladder cancer database. Using multivariable linear regression analyses, we determined significant predictors of improved constipation symptoms and quality of life scores. RESULTS A total of 198 patients completed 255 PAC−SYM and PAC-QOL questionnaires with a median follow-up time of 1.7 years (IQR: 0.7 – 3.0 years). ONB, CCD, and IC were performed in 78%, 5.5%, and 16.5% of patients, respectively. Higher bowel function scores (i.e. worse symptoms) were noted at 3 months post-operatively, while these scores significantly improved over time for PAC-SYM total score (P = .004), abdominal subscore (P = .001), and rectal subscore (P = .018). On multivariable analysis, we found that patients 1 year (B -4.8, P = .001), and who received an IC (B -2.4, P = .02) had significantly lower PAC-SYM scores. CONCLUSION Patients have few constipation symptoms and are overall satisfied with their bowel function at long-term follow-up after RC. While patients with IC have significantly fewer constipation symptoms compared to those with ONB or CCD, all patients had significant improvement one year after the surgery.