A word of caution in the functional monitoring of patients after rectal cancer surgery: a multicentre observational study
Background: Patients with rectal cancer often experience adverse effects on urinary, sexual, and digestive functions. Despite recognised impacts and available treatments, they are not fully integrated into follow-up protocols, thereby hindering appropriate interventions. The aim of the study was to...
| Autores: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Estado: | Versión publicada |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2025 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universidad de Barcelona |
| Repositorio: | Dipòsit Digital de la UB |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/219455 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/2445/219455 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Incontinència fecal Adults Cirurgia colorectal Període postoperatori Fecal incontinence Adulthood Colorectal surgery Postoperative period |
| Sumario: | Background: Patients with rectal cancer often experience adverse effects on urinary, sexual, and digestive functions. Despite recognised impacts and available treatments, they are not fully integrated into follow-up protocols, thereby hindering appropriate interventions. The aim of the study was to discern the activities conducted in our routine clinical practice outside of clinical trials. Methods: This multicentre, retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery between January 2016 and January 2020 at six tertiary Spanish hospitals. Results: A total of 787 patients were included. Two years post surgery, gastrointestinal evaluation was performed in 86% of patients. However, bowel movements per day were only recorded in 242 patients (46.4%), and the values of the Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) questionnaire were recorded in 106 patients (20.3%); 146 patients received a diagnosis of fecal incontinence (28.2%), while 124 patients were diagnosed with low anterior resection syndrome (23.8%). Urogenital evaluation was recorded in 21.1% of patients. Thirty-seven patients (5.1%) were detected to have urinary dysfunction, while 40 patients (5.5%) were detected to have sexual dysfunction. A total of 320 patients (43.9%) had their quality of life evaluated 2 years after surgery, and only 0.8% completed the Quality of Life questionnaire. Medication was the most used treatment for sequelae (26.9%) followed by referral to other specialists (15.1%). Conclusions: There is a significant deficit in clinical follow-ups regarding the functional assessment of patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery. It is crucial to implement a postoperative functional follow-up protocol and to utilize technologies such as Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) to enhance the evaluation and treatment of these sequelae, thereby ensuring an improved quality of life for patients. |
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