Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-2016
Keywords
prostate cancer, anti-androgens, androgen deprivation, physical functioning, physical activity, muscle strength, quality of life
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-3016-y
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of the study is to examine changes in muscle strength and self-reported physical functioning in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer compared to matched controls.
Methods: Prostate cancer patients scheduled to begin ADT (n = 62) were assessed within 20 days of starting ADT and 6 and 12 months later. Age and geographically matched prostate cancer controls treated with prostatectomy only (n = 86) were assessed at similar time intervals. Grip strength measured upper body strength, the Chair Rise Test measured lower body strength, and the SF-12 Physical Functioning scale measured self-reported physical functioning.
Results: As expected, self-reported physical functioning and upper body muscle strength declined in ADT recipients but remained stable in prostate cancer controls. Contrary to expectations, lower body muscle strength remained stable in ADT recipients but improved in prostate cancer controls. Higher Gleason scores, more medical comorbidities, and less exercise at baseline predicted greater declines in physical functioning in ADT recipients.
Conclusions: ADT is associated with declines in self-reported physical functioning and upper body muscle strength as well as worse lower body muscle strength relative to prostate cancer controls. These findings should be included in patient education regarding the risks and benefits of ADT. Findings also underscore the importance of conducting research on ways to prevent or reverse declines in physical functioning in this patient population.
Rights Information
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Supportive Care in Cancer, v. 24, issue 5, p. 2201-2207
This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in Supportive Care in Cancer. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-3016-y.
Scholar Commons Citation
Gonzalex, Brian D.; Jim, Heather S. L.; Small, Brent J.; Fishman, Mayer N.; Zachariah, Babu; Heysek, Randy V.; and Jacobsen, Paul B., "Changes in Physical Functioning and Muscle Strength in Men Receiving Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: a Controlled Comparison" (2016). Aging Studies Faculty Publications. 10.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/gey_facpub/10
