Intermediate-term follow-up and analysis of related factors associated with urinary incontinence and overactive bladder after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy—A multicenter cross-sectional study in China

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of urinary incontinence (UI) and overactive bladder (OAB) in prostate cancer patients 12 months after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP), through a multicenter follow-up. Additionally, the study sought to analyze the association between potential risk factors and the occurrence of these complications. Methods This retrospective study included 382 patients who underwent LRP across 9 institutions in Jiangsu Province, China, between January 2019 and March 2020. Clinical data, including the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire–Urinary Incontinence Short Form, magnetic resonance imaging findings, and the number of pads used, were collected 12 months postoperatively to assess the incidence of UI and OAB. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with UI and bladder overactivity at the 12-month follow-up. Results Of the 382 patients included in the follow-up, 135 (35.4%) experienced UI 12 months after LRP. Among these, 61 patients (16.0%) required 1 pad per day, 84 (22.0%) patients used 2–5 pads per day, and 52 (13.6%) patients used more than 5 pads per day. Additionally, 130 (34.0%) patients reported experiencing urgency at 12 months postoperatively. Multivariate regression analysis identified membranous urethral length (MUL) and age as the most significant predictors of postoperative UI and OAB. Conclusions In our multicenter retrospective study, the prevalence of UI and OAB 12 months after LRP was significantly higher than previously reported in the literature. Factors such as age, a history of transurethral prostate resection, and MUL were found to be associated with postoperative UI and OAB. Notably, preoperative MUL exhibited a negative correlation with the incidence of UI after surgery. These findings underscore the importance of preventing UI after prostatectomy to mitigate the potential exacerbation of OAB.