The impact of posterior urethral valves on adult quality of life

ObjectiveTo investigate the quality of life of men who had been treated for posterior urethral valves (PUV) in childhood.Patients and methodsQuestionnaires were mailed to 108 patients with PUV treated at the Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki, and 67 (62%) of them responded. Three different questionnaires (15D, LSS, and RAND) were used to evaluate the quality of life.ResultsThe total quality of life in PUV patients was reported as good compared to the general population in the RAND and LSS surveys. However, in the 15D analysis the PUV patients reported lower scores in sleeping, eating, and sexual activity. Those PUV patients who had been treated for renal insufficiency reported lower scores in several dimensions in all three surveys. Patients with urinary incontinence reported more sleeping problems and regarded themselves physically more disabled.ConclusionsThe PUV patients with renal insufficiency or urinary incontinence had impaired quality of life in several dimensions.