Health-related quality of life, depression, anxiety and sexual dysfunction in patients with testicular cancer

Background and objective: Testicular cancer is one of the most common cancer types among young men. Although there is high percentage of cure rates for the patients, there is a lack of knowledge regarding health-related quality of life, psychological problems and sexual dysfunction. The aim of this study was to examine health-related quality of life, anxiety, depression and sexual dysfunction in patients with testicular cancer.

Methods: Data were collected from 160 patients diagnosed with testicular cancer at age 20–60 years. The survey method was used to collect information.

Results: The results showed that the mean scores of SF-12v2 physical component (p = 0.02), HADS-anxiety (p < 0.011) and HADS-depression (p = 0.01) were significantly different between marital status groups. The mean scores of IIEF-5 were significantly different between income groups (p = 0.01) and employment status (p = 0.02). Participants who earned low income, had primary or lower education, and were not employed reported significantly poorer erectile function than their higher earning, higher educated and employed counterparts. Also, HADS anxiety and HADS depression scores were found to be moderate and positively correlated with IIEF-5 (p < 0.01). However, SF-12v2 physical component summary and mental component summary scores were negatively correlated with IIEF-5 (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: The current study findings provided knowledge on health-related quality of life, anxiety, depression and sexual dysfunction in patients with testicular cancer. Health-related quality of life, psychological mental health and sexual life were poorer among the participants.

Testicular cancer; Anxiety; Depression; Quality of life

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