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Androgen deprivation in men with prostate cancer is associated with an increased rate of bone loss

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases volume 5, pages 304–310 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

The objective of this work was to determine the effect of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on rates of bone mineral density (BMD) loss in men with prostate cancer. It was a prospective study comparing men receiving ADT to age matched controls for 2 y. Subjects received a history, physical exam, bone mineral density measurement, and laboratory evaluation every 6 months. Thirty-nine subjects receiving continuous ADT for prostate cancer (subjects) were compared to 39 age-matched controls not receiving ADT (controls). Twenty-three subjects and 30 controls completed the study through 24 months. Men in the ADT group demonstrated greater rates of bone mineral density loss than men in the control group at every site except the lumbar spine. Twenty-four month per cent of bone mineral density loss is presented as mean±standard error (s.e.). At the distal forearm, the ADT group value was −9.4%±1.0% and −4.4%±0.3% for controls (P<0.0005). The ADT group femoral neck values were −1.9%±0.7% and 0.6%±0.5% in the control group (P=0.0016). The ADT group total hip value was −1.5%±1.0% and 0.8%±0.5% in the control group (P=0.0018). The ADT group trochanter value was −2.0%±1.3% and −0.1%±0.5% in the control group (P=0.0019). The ADT group lumbar spine value was −0.2%±0.8 % and 1.1%±0.6% in the control group (P=0.079). Our data demonstrate greater rates of bone mineral density loss in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge LTC Karen Wish, RD, PhD for her calculations of dietary calcium data and Mr David Stott, BS for his technical support in performing all bone mineral density measurements for this study. This research was funded by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, and the Department of Clinical Investigation Work Unit #2819 from Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Urology Service, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA

    D M Preston, P Harding & D G Mcleod

  2. Department of Surgery, Center for Prostate Disease Research (CPDR), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

    D M Preston & D G Mcleod

  3. Department of Medicine, Endocrinology Service, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA

    J I Torréns & W E Duncan

  4. Department of Clinical Investigation, Biometrics Service, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA

    R S Howard

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  1. D M Preston
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  2. J I Torréns
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  4. R S Howard
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Correspondence to D G Mcleod.

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The opinions and assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as reflecting the views of the US army or the Department of Defense.

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Preston, D., Torréns, J., Harding, P. et al. Androgen deprivation in men with prostate cancer is associated with an increased rate of bone loss. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 5, 304–310 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.pcan.4500599

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