Quality-of-life outcomes following Aquablation in men with poor initial quality of life: pooled analysis of five international studies

Abstract

Introduction This study aims to evaluate the relationship between specific baseline clinical factors and quality of life (QoL) outcomes at three months in men presenting with poor initial QoL. Methods This multinational study was conducted a retrospective analysis of international data from men with poor baseline QoL scores (4, 5, or 6) who underwent Aquablation for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The study involved 310 men with QoL ≤2 and 104 men with QoL >2 at 3 months post-treatment. Baseline clinical characteristics were collected, including the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) for storage and voiding, postvoid residual (PVR), Male Sexual Health Questionnaire for Ejaculatory Dysfunction (MSHQ-EjD) and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) for sexually active men. Results The study involved 310 men with QoL ≤2 and 104 men with QoL >2. The mean age for men with QoL ≤2 was 66.8 years (SD ± 7.5) and 68.3 years (SD ± 8.0) for those with QoL >2. The mean prostate volume was 72.1 mL (SD ± 31.2) for the QoL ≤2 group and 68.4 mL (SD ± 28.0) for the QoL >2 group. In the univariable logistic regression analysis, significant improvement in quality of life at 3 months was observed among patients with poor baseline QoL who had a high PVR volume (PVR >100 mL; OR = 1.737, P = 0.018) and higher baseline erectile function scores (IIEF-5; OR = 1.075, p < 0.001). Conclusion In summary, this study adds to the growing evidence supporting Aquablation as an effective intervention for alleviating prostate symptoms and improving QoL in affected men with poor QoL.