Abstract:

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between symptom severity and physical activity level, sexual function, and quality of life in individuals with urinary incontinence (UI) after prostatectomy. Methods: Forty-three individuals (age: 66.67±5.18 years; body mass index: 29.17±3.64kg/m2) diagnosed with UI after prostatectomy were included in this study. The physical, demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. UI severity, physical activity level, sexual function and quality of life of individuals were evaluated with the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), International Physical Activity Questionnaire-7(IPAQ-7), International Sexual Function Index-5 (IIEF-5), and King Health Questionnaire (KHQ), respectively. Spearman correlation test was used for analysis. Results: A moderate and negative correlation was found between the ICIQ-SF value and the IPAQ-7 value (r=-0.606; p<0.001). No correlation was found between ICIQ-SF and IIEF-5 values (p>0.05). Between ICIQ-SF and KHQ domain scores, moderate positive correlations were found (for general health: r=0.441; p=0.002, for role limitation: r=0.485; p=0.001, for physical limitation: r=0.577; p<0.001, for social limitation: r=0.679; p<0.001, for emotion: r=0.491; p=0.001, for sleep energy level: r=0.511; p<0.001, and for severity measurement: r=0.615; p<0.001). Conclusion: In this study, it was found that as the symptom severity of individuals with UI increased after prostatectomy, the physical activity level decreased and the quality of life worsened. It may be important to evaluate the relationship between the severity of UI, physical activity levels and quality of life of these individuals in clinics, to direct them to pelvic floor rehabilitation and to establish appropriate physical activity and exercise programs.

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