TABLE II.

Mean score (± standard error) for each item on the Prostate Cancer Index quality-of-life (qol) questionnaire at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months

qol item	Baseline	1 Month	6 Months
Urinary function
Leakage	87±3.4	86±3.5	93±2.3
Control	91±2.3	90±1.9	94±1.6
Number of pads or adult diapers	99±0.6	97±1.6	100±0.0
Dripping urine or wetting pants	93±2.5	92±2.2	96±1.3
Leakage interfering with sexual activity	98±1.7	94±2.9	100±0.0
As a problem overall	39±3.2	42±2.9	32±2.7
Bowel function
Rectal urgency	95±2.5	73±4.0	82±4.2
Stools loose or liquid	82±2.3	73±2.6	77±2.8
Distress secondary to bowl movements	93±1.7	79±2.8	83±3.2
Crampy pain	93±2.1	85±3.1	90±3.1
As a problem overall	88±2.5	77±3.1	82±3.4
Sexual function
Sexual desire	34±3.0	27±2.3	27±2.3
Ability to have an erection	35±2.7	24±2.6	24±1.5
Ability to reach orgasm	35±2.9	28±2.8	25±1.7
Quality of erections	52±4.5	40±3.7	39±2.8
Frequency of erections	38±3.3	28±2.5	26±2.4
Morning erections	33±2.4	27±2.0	25±1.7
Sexual intercourse
Unassisted by medical intervention	43±3.2	38±2.4	37±2.0
Assisted by medical intervention	98±1.2	98±1.1	98±1.1
Ability to function sexually	31±2.5	25±1.8	24±1.6
As a problem overall	57±4.8	58±5.1	52±5.1