Quality of life in patients with bladder carcinoma after cystectomy: Firstresults of a prospective study

This study reports the changes in the quality of life (QoL) of 44 patients observed prospectively from pre-surgery to one year post-surgery. Two kinds of surgeries were compared: continent and incontinent urinary diversion. I n most areas the QoL returned to the prior level within one year after surg ery. However, patients were restricted in their physical activity, sexual a ctivity, and emotional well-being. Using individual weights for different a spects of life (Fragen zur Lebenszufriedenheit - Module FLZ(M)), QoL was hi gher than when using an unweighted measurement (Short Form 36, MOS). Two tr ends for the different developments in the QoL were established: general li fe satisfaction and social functioning tended to improve after a continent diversion but decreased after an incontinent diversion. The perceived globa l satisfaction with both kinds of diversion was high - 75% of the patients would choose the same kind of diversion again.