2026-04-17T07:46:46Zhttps://recercat.cat/oai/request

oai:recercat.cat:10256/263752025-02-12T05:23:43Zcom_2072_452955com_2072_2054col_2072_452960col_2072_453079

00925njm 22002777a 4500 dc Planellas Giné, Pere author Fernandes Montes, Nair Sonia author Golda, Thomas author Alonso Gonçalves, Sandra author Elorza Echaniz, Garazi author Gil, J. author Kreisler Moreno, Esther author Abad-Camacho, M.R. author Cornejo, Lídia author Marinello, Franco author 2025-01-04 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 Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature http://hdl.handle.net/10256/26375 Recte -- Càncer Rectum -- Cancer Postoperatori Postoperative period A word of caution in the functional monitoring of patients after rectal cancer surgery: a multicentre observational study