Influence and Impact of Cognitive Trajectories on Outcome in Patients Undergoing Radical Cystectomy: An Observational Study

ObjectiveTo evaluate cognitive trajectories after radical cystectomy and their impact on surgical outcomes, including urinary continence.Materials and MethodsNinety patients received cognitive testing using the Mini Mental State Examination before open radical cystectomy as well as 3 days and 2 weeks after surgery. Based on the Mini Mental State Examination changes ≥3 points between the three time points, five cognitive trajectories emerged (stable cognition, persistent or transient deterioration, or persistent or transient improvement). Surgical outcomes were assessed 90 days, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively.ResultsMean age was 67.9 ± 9.3 years (range 40-88 years). Sixty-six patients (73.3%) had stable cognition, 9 patients (10.0%) had persistent deterioration and 7 patients (7.8%) had transient deterioration, 5 patients (5.6%) had persistent improvement and 3 patients (3.3%) had transient improvement. An impaired preoperative cognition was the only significant risk factor of short-term cognitive deterioration (odds ratio adjusted for age and sex 9.4, 95% confidence interval 1.6-56.5, P = .014). Cognition showed no associations with 1-year mortality, 90-day complication rate, cancer progression, or duration of in-hospital stay. Patients with transient or persistent cognitive deterioration had an increased risk for nighttime incontinence (odds ratio adjusted for age and sex 5.1, 95% confidence interval 1.1-22.4, P = .032).ConclusionIn this study, the majority of patients showed stable cognition after major abdominopelvic surgery. Cognitive deterioration occurred in a small subgroup of patients, and an impaired preoperative cognition was the only significant risk factor. Postoperative cognitive deterioration was associated with nighttime incontinence.