Sexual Dysfunction and Intimacy for Ostomates.

Sex and intimacy presents special challenges for the ostomate. Since some colorectal surgery patients will require either temporary or permanent stomas, intimacy and sexuality is a common issue for ostomates. In addition to the stoma, nerve damage, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are often used in conjunction with stoma creation for cancer patients, thereby adding physiological dysfunction to the personal psychological impact of the stoma, leading to sexual dysfunction. The purpose of this paper is to describe the prevalence, etiology, and the most common types of sexual dysfunction in men and women after colorectal surgery and particularly those patients with stomas. In addition, treatment strategies for sexual dysfunction will also be described.

Life after prostate cancer treatment: a mixed methods study of the experiences of men with sexual dysfunction and their partners.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in men and sexual dysfunction is the most frequently reported long-term side effect of prostate cancer surgery or radiation. The aim of this study was to examine the experiences of men with sexual dysfunction and their partners following prostate cancer treatment. METHODS: Men with sexual dysfunction from either surgical removal or radiation therapy 1-5 years after treatment were interviewed, as well as their partners. A mixed method design was used to determine the lived experience of men with sexual dysfunction. Open-ended questions guided the interviews. RESULTS: Twenty seven men completed the study with a mean age of 61 years (SD = 8.0; range = 44-77 years). Nine partners also participated. The majority of men (92.6%) had surgery. The average time from treatment to the interview was 23.5 months (SD = 11.7). Themes were frustration with sexual dysfunction, importance of support and understanding from others, depression and anxiety related to sexual dysfunction, importance of intimacy with partner, factors that impact treatment satisfaction, and education and comprehensive information about sex. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate cancer survivors and partners need accurate information about sexual side effects before during and after treatment. Men and partners required individualized help and guidance to manage sexual dysfunction. Support and understanding from partners, family, and others was also identified as an important aspect of healing and adjustment after prostate cancer treatment. Prostate cancer education/support groups played a key role in helping men and partners gain advocacy, education, and support. Psychological problems such as depression and anxiety need to be identified and addressed in men after prostate cancer treatment. Men and partners need assistance in understanding and navigating their way through intimacy to move forward with connectedness in their relationship. Satisfaction with treatment and with providers is dependent on patient education and understanding of all aspects of prostate cancer treatment including sexual side effects and incontinence.

A Longitudinal Study of Predictors of Sexual Dysfunction in Men on Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer.

AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between sexual dysfunction, repeat biopsies and other demographic and clinical factors in men on active surveillance (AS). METHODS: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) measures were administered at enrollment and every 6 months to assess quality of life (QOL), psychosocial and urological health outcomes. Using mixed-effects models, we examined the impact of repeat biopsies, total number of cores taken, anxiety, age, and comorbidity on sexual function over the first 24 months of enrolling in AS. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: PROs included the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite-26 (EPIC-26) Sexual Function (SF) subscale, the American Urological Association-Symptom Index (AUA-SI), and the Memorial Anxiety Scale for Prostate Cancer (MAX-PC). RESULTS: At enrollment (n = 195), mean age was 66.5 ± 6.8 with a mean EPIC-26 SF score of 61.4 ± 30.4. EPIC-26 SF scores steadily decreased to 53.9 ± 30.7 at 24 months (P < 0.01). MAX-PC scores also progressively decreased over time (P = 0.03). Factors associated with lower EPIC-26 scores over time included age, unemployed status, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and hypertension (all P < 0.05). Higher prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was associated with a more rapid decline in EPIC-26 SF over time (P = 0.03). In multivariable analysis, age, diabetes, and PSA × time interaction remained significant predictors of diminished sexual function. Anxiety, number of biopsies, and total cores taken did not predict sexual dysfunction or change over time in our cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Men on AS experienced a gradual decline in sexual function during the first 24 months of enrollment. Older age, PSA × time, and diabetes were all independent predictors of diminished sexual function over time. Anxiety, AUA-SI, the number of cores and the number of biopsies were not predictors of reduced sexual function in men in AS.

Urology nursing practice educational preparation, titles, training, and job responsibilities around the globe.

A descriptive study of urology nursing titles, educational preparation, and job functions revealed more than 80 titles, varied educational preparation, and some common and varied job functions. The results also indicated that urology advanced practice nurses continue to expand their independent roles.

Addressing and managing erectile dysfunction after prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

Erectile dysfunction is the most common side effect after prostatectomy. There are currently five categories of available treatment options for erectile dysfunction for men following radical prostatectomy. The first and most common treatment is oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (sildenafil, vardenafil, or tadalafil). Despite their popularity, these medications do not always produce an erection sufficient for intercourse after prostatectomy. The second treatment option is the noninvasive option of either a venous constriction band or the vacuum constriction device. Both treatments use a venous occlusive tension band or ring to maintain erection by retaining blood in the penis. The vacuum constriction device also utilizes external suction pressure to create an erection prior to application of the tension ring. The third treatment option is Muses, an intraurethral suppository containing alprostadil that dilates the penile blood vessels. The fourth treatment option involves penile injections. The fifth treatment is the penile prosthesis, in which artificial rods are surgically implanted into the corpora cavernosa to provide penile rigidity. Oral agents, the vacuum device, Muse, and injections have been used for penile rehabilitation to encourage spontaneous return of erectile function in men after radical prostatectomy with varied success. Untreated erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy has been associated with penile atrophy and further diminished erectile function. Therefore, it is critically important that clinicians provide comprehensive information about the positive and negative aspects of all treatment options and the penile rehabilitation potential of each. This will enable patients to make informed treatment choices about early intervention for erectile dysfunction.

Impact of penile injections on men with erectile dysfunction after prostatectomy.

Penile injection has been shown to be an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) following prostatectomy, yet it is not commonly used by these men. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact on quality of life of injection treatment of ED in men after prostatectomy, as well as barriers to use. The study used a one-group, pretest/posttest design, with data collection before treatment, and one and three months after treatment. Use of penile injections resulted in improved erectile function, sexual self esteem and confidence, and satisfaction with the sexual relationship. Side effects reported were pain, priapism, bruising, and curvature or the penis.

Intracavernosal injection algorithm.

Intracavernosal injections provide an effective therapy for men with erectile dysfunction who can not take oral agents or for whom oral agents are not effective. Determining the best initial dosage can be a challenge for health care providers. A literature review and 13 years of experience working with patients receiving intracavernosal injections provide the basis for the algorithm designed to provide guidance with the dosage and titration of the injection medications.

Keeping nurses in nursing: the profession's challenge for today.

Urologic nurses and the nursing profession face incredible challenges in caring for patients and their families after a trend of the continued decline in nursing school enrollment, the nursing shortage, and increasing staff nurse dissatisfaction with the current workplace environment. Is it possible to retain staff nurses during this current crisis? Many factors contribute to nurse dissatisfaction and subsequent turnover and burn out. In light of the current nursing shortage, it is essential and cost effective to retain nurses in their specific jobs and within the profession. There is no single, simple reason or solution for professional staff nurse turnover. Some of the current contributing factors to staff nurse dissatisfaction and satisfaction will be discussed in an effort to discern ways to promote staff nurse retention.

Spirituality and life-threatening illness: a phenomenologic study.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To examine the lived experience of individuals when confronted with a life-threatening disease. RESEARCH APPROACH: Qualitative, phenomenologic using Giorgi's approach. SETTING: Patients' homes in the Midwest. PARTICIPANTS: Five women and two men, aged 44-74 years, who had a variety of diagnoses, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, and myocardial infarction. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH: Subjects were recruited through flyers posted at support groups and religious establishments and by word of mouth. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Willingness to volunteer to share their stories. FINDINGS: Participants described how their spirituality provided comfort throughout their journey, strength in facing the life-threatening illness, many blessings despite the hardship of the illness, and trust in a higher power to see them through the journey. All participants described a sense of meaning in their lives throughout their experience. CONCLUSIONS: Spirituality greatly affected patients' journeys through a life-threatening illness and provided a sense of meaning despite the illness. INTERPRETATION: Nurses need to acknowledge patients' spirituality and, in turn, assist patients in meeting their spiritual needs. By understanding the study participants' experiences, nurses can better support their patients, provide time and space for spiritual practices, and honor patients' spiritual journeys.