Risk of the "androgen deprivation syndrome" in men receiving androgen deprivation for prostate cancer

Opioid-induced hypogonadism in opioid use disorder, its role in negative reinforcement, and implications for treatment and retention

Hypogonadism is a highly prevalent complication of chronic opioid use associated with a constellation of affective, algesic, and cognitive symptoms as well as decreased quality of life. Given that the mainstays of pharmacologic opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment - methadone and buprenorphine - are themselves agonists or partial agonists at the mu opioid receptor, opioid-induced hypogonadism (OIH) remains an underappreciated clinical concern throughout the course of OUD treatment. Prominent theoretical frameworks for OUD emphasize the importance of negative reinforcement and hyperkatifeia, defined as the heightened salience of negative emotional and motivational states brought on by chronic opioid use. In this perspective article, we highlight the striking parallels between the symptom domains of hyperfakifeia and hypogonadism in males, who comprise the vast majority of existing clinical research on OIH. By extension we propose that future research and ultimately clinical care should focus on the identification and treatment of OIH in OUD patients to help address the longstanding paradox of poor treatment retention despite efficacious therapies, particularly in the setting of the current opioid overdose epidemic driven by high potency synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. We then review evidence from chronic pain patients that testosterone replacement provides clinically significant benefits to men with OIH. Finally, using this framework, we compare extant OUD therapeutics and discuss critical gaps in the clinical literature-including the relative dearth of data regarding hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function in females who use opioids-where future study should be focused.

Effects of androgen deprivation therapy on cognitive functions in patients with metastatic prostate cancer: A multicentric, prospective study of the Society of Urological Surgery Andrology group

AIMS OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of testosterone deficiency on cognitive functions in metastatic prostate cancer patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).

METHODS

In this multicentric prospective study, 65 metastatic prostate cancer patients were evaluated. Demographic and clinical data were recorded. Cognitive functions were assessed using the Symbol Digit Modalities Test, the California Verbal Learning Test Second Edition, the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised, and the Trail Making Test. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory. Cognitive functions and depressive symptoms were recorded before the androgen deprivation therapy and at the 3- and 6-month follow-ups.

RESULTS

At the basal cognitive assessment, the mean Symbol Digit Modalities Test, the California Verbal Learning Test Second Edition, the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised scores were 25.84 ± 17.54, 32.68 ± 10.60, and 17.63 ± 11.23, respectively, and the mean time for the Trail Making Test was 221.56 ± 92.44 seconds, and were similar at the 3-month, and 6-month controls (P > .05). The mean pretreatment, third and sixth month testosterone levels were 381.40 ± 157.53 ng/dL, 21.61 ± 9.09 ng/dL and 12.25 ± 6.45 ng/dL (P < .05), and the total PSA levels were 46.46 ± 37.83 ng/mL, 1.41 ± 3.31 ng/mL and 0.08 ± 0.14 ng/mL (P < .05), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The ADT in patients with metastatic prostate cancer does not affect patients' cognitive functions and depressive symptoms. However, further prospective randomised studies with higher cohorts and longer follow-up periods are needed.

Testosterone replacement therapy improves the health-related quality of life of men diagnosed with late-onset hypogonadism

Objectives

To test the hypothesis that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) improves the long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of men with late-onset hypogonadism (LOH), as studies have shown that sub-physiological testosterone levels have a negative impact on psychological (e.g. mood, vitality, libido and sexual interest) and physical features (e.g. erectile function and physical strength), all of which contribute to a sense of well-being.

Patients and methods

In all, 261 patients (mean age 58 years) diagnosed with LOH were treated with long-acting intramuscular testosterone undecanoate (TU) for up to 5 years. Health quality indicators including the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), the five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), the Aging Males’ Symptoms (AMS) scale, and the percentage of patients reporting joint and muscle pain were measured at baseline and at each visit. The means were then plotted over time in parallel with mean total testosterone (TT) levels.

Results

Both the mean IPSS and AMS scores fell significantly within the first 3 months and the mean IIEF-5 score and TT levels increased within the first 3 months. All four parameters continued to improve over the course of the trial. The percentage of patients reporting both joint and muscle pain decreased during TRT.

Conclusions

This prospective, observational and longitudinal analysis shows a clear improvement in both psychological and physical characteristics as physiological testosterone levels are reached and maintained contributing to an improvement in the HRQoL in men with diagnosed LOH.

Androgen deprivation therapy complications

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is increasingly used to treat advanced prostate cancer and is also utilised as adjuvant or neo-adjuvant treatment for high-risk disease. The resulting suppression of endogenous testosterone production has deleterious effects on quality of life, including hot flushes, reduced mood and cognition and diminished sexual function. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies show that ADT has adverse bone and cardio-metabolic effects. The rate of bone loss is accelerated, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and subsequent fracture. Fat mass is increased and lean mass reduced, and adverse effects on lipid levels and insulin resistance are observed, the latter increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. ADT also appears to increase the risk of incident cardiovascular events, although whether it increases cardiovascular mortality is not certain from the observational evidence published to date. Until high-quality evidence is available to guide management, it is reasonable to consider men undergoing ADT to be at a higher risk of psychosexual dysfunction, osteoporotic fracture, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, especially when treated for extended periods of time and therefore subjected to profound and prolonged hypoandrogenism. Health professionals caring for men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer should be aware of the potential risks of ADT and ensure appropriate monitoring and clinical management.

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Les effets indésirables de l’hormonothérapie anti-androgénique (HAA) dans le traitement du cancer de la prostate sont attribuables à la carence d’androgènes. L’HAA entraîne le syndrome de castration, qui se caractérise par une diminution de la libido, la dysfonction érectile, l’asthénie, des bouffées de chaleur, la diminution des capacités intellectuelles et la dépression. Il en résulte également une augmentation de la graisse abdominale, ce qui favorise l’insulinorésistance et le diabète. La perte de la densité minérale osseuse secondaire à l’HAA entraîne un risque fracturaire accru. Il existe de plus un risque cardiovasculaire important dû aux facteurs métaboliques. L’effet thérapeutique de l’HAA doit donc être soupesé en regard de la toxicité liée à l’hypogonadisme.

Androgen deprivation therapy toxicity and management for men receiving radiation therapy

Androgen deprivation therapy is commonly used in combination with radiotherapy as part of the definitive treatment for men with clinically localized and locally advanced prostate cancer. Androgen deprivation has been associated with a wide range of iatrogenic effects impacting a variety of body systems including metabolic, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, neurocognitive, and sexual. This review aims to provide the radiation oncology community with the knowledge to monitor and manage androgen deprivation therapy toxicity in an effort to provide the highest level of care for patients and to minimize the iatrogenic effects of androgen deprivation as much as possible.

The impact of PSA screening on prostate cancer mortality and overdiagnosis of prostate cancer in the United States

BACKGROUND

The study assessed the impact of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing in the United States by comparing the rates of PSA testing in U.S. counties to the rates of prostate biopsies and newly treated prostate cancer and to deaths from prostate cancer.

METHODS

We examined the association between the percentage of men aged 66-74 from a nationally representative 5% Medicare sample who received PSA testing in each U.S. county in 1997 and the percent of men who received prostate biopsies or treatment for newly diagnosed prostate cancer in 1997 as well as mortality from prostate cancer and from all other causes from 1998 to 2007.

RESULTS

Analyses of 1,067 U.S. counties showed a significant relationship between the rate of PSA testing and both the rate of men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer and prostate cancer mortality (both p < .001) but no relationship with mortality from other causes. For every 100,000 men receiving a PSA test in 1997, an additional 4,894 men underwent prostate biopsy and 1,597 additional men underwent prostate cancer treatment in 1997, and 61 fewer men died from prostate cancer during 1998-2006. Analyses stratified by age and race produced similar results.

CONCLUSIONS

PSA testing was associated with modest reductions in prostate cancer mortality and large increases in the number of men overdiagnosed with and overtreated for prostate cancer. The results are similar to those obtained by the large European randomized prospective trial of PSA testing.

A pilot study of exercise in men with prostate cancer receiving androgen deprivation therapy

Background

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the mainstay therapy for men with prostate cancer. However, there are musculoskeletal side effects from ADT that increase the risk for osteoporosis and fracture, and can compromise the quality of life of these individuals. The objectives of this study are to determine the efficacy of a home-based walking exercise program in promoting bone health, physical function and quality of life in men with prostate cancer receiving ADT.

Methods/Design

A 12-month prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial will be conducted to compare the Exercise Group with the Control Group. Sixty men with prostate cancer who will be starting ADT will be recruited and randomly assigned to one of the two groups: the Exercise Group will receive instructions in setting up an individualized 12-month home-based walking exercise program, while the Control Group will receive standard medical advice from the attending physician. A number of outcome measures will be used to assess bone health, physical function, and health-related quality of life. At baseline and 12 months, bone health will be assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. At baseline and every 3 months up to 12 months, physical function will be evaluated using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue Scale, Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, Short Physical Performance Battery, and Six-Minute Walk Test; and health-related quality of life will be assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Prostate Module and the Medical Outcomes Study 12-item Short Form Health Survey Version 2. A mixed multiple analysis of variance will be used to analyze the data.

Discussion

Musculoskeletal health management remains a challenge in men with prostate cancer receiving ADT. This study addresses this issue by designing a simple and accessible home-based walking exercise program that will potentially have significant impact on reducing the risk of fracture, promoting physical function, and ultimately improving the health-related quality of life in men with prostate cancer receiving ADT.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00834392.

Quality of life issues in men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy: a review

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been an essential treatment option for treating prostate cancer (PCa). The role for hormonal treatment initially was restricted to men with metastatic and inoperable, locally advanced disease. Now it has been extended to neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy for surgery and radiotherapy, for biochemical relapse after surgery or radiation, and even as primary therapy for non-metastatic disease. Fifty percent of PCa patients treated will receive ADT at some point. There is growing concern about the adverse effects and costs associated with more widespread ADT use. The adverse effects on quality of life (QoL), including physical, social and psychological well-being when men are androgen-deprived, may be considerable. This review examines the QoL issues in the following areas: body feminisation, sexual changes, relationship changes, cognitive and affective symptoms, fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression and physical effects. Further suggestions for therapeutic approaches to reduce these alterations are suggested.

Age and androgen-deprivation therapy on exercise outcomes in men with prostate cancer

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of age (≤ 65 years or >65 years) and androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT, presence or absence) as factors that may predict changes in body composition and fitness following a 24-week exercise program in prostate cancer patients.

METHODS

One hundred twenty-one men were randomly allocated to either: (1) aerobic exercise (AE), (2) resistance exercise (RE), or (3) usual care (UC). Body composition was assessed by DXA. Aerobic fitness was assessed through a maximal treadmill test. Muscular strength was assessed by leg extension and bench press using the eight-repetition maximum test. Responses were compared between younger (≤ 65 years) and older (> 65 years) patients with or without ADT.

RESULTS

There did not appear to be an interaction between age and ADT on body composition or fitness, nor were there any significant changes in body composition for participants ≤ 65 years. In participants aged >65 years, lean mass decreased in AE (p = 0.013) and UC (p = 0.006), but was preserved in RE. In participants receiving ADT, there was a decrease in lean mass in AE (p = 0.003) and UC (p < 0.001) but not in RE. The non-ADT group did not show any changes in body composition but did show improvements in muscular fitness following resistance training (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Changes in body composition and physical fitness following a 24-week exercise program in men with prostate cancer are not influenced by age and/or ADT. Resistance training appears to attenuate the age-related decrease in lean mass and increase in body fat in older patients with prostate cancer and those receiving ADT.

Androgen deprivation therapy in men with prostate cancer: how should the side effects be monitored and treated?

Adverse effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) are a consequence of the induced sex steroid deficiency. ADT increases fat mass leading to insulin resistance and diabetes, and accelerates bone loss causing increased fracture risk. Given the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease and reduced bone density in ADT-naïve men with prostate cancer, the benefits of ADT have to be carefully weighed against its side effects, especially as a diagnosis of prostate cancer does not alter the life expectancy for most men. Men commencing ADT should be counselled about and be carefully monitored for these and other ADT-induced complications, which include fatigue, sexual dysfunction, hot flushes and anaemia. ADT-associated side effects should be prevented and treated in order that ADT-induced toxicity does not outweigh its benefits. Future clinical trials are needed: first, to better define the effects of ADT on survival in men with localized prostate cancer or with biochemical prostate-specific antigen recurrence; second, to delineate ADT-associated harm, especially with respect to cardiovascular events and fractures; and third, to test the efficacy of interventions designed to minimize ADT-related adverse outcomes. Such information will be essential to better quantify the risk-benefit ratio of ADT in the individual man with prostate cancer.

Ethnic disparities in diabetes management: a 10-year population-based repeated cross-sectional study in UK primary care

BACKGROUND

There has been little research on the impact of quality improvement initiatives on ethnic disparities in diabetes management in the UK.

METHODS

Population-based, repeated cross-sectional survey of recorded measurements, prescribing and achievement of treatment targets among 4309 patients with diabetes mellitus using electronic medical records from 26 general practices in North-West London from 1997 to 2006.

RESULTS

Proportions of patients having their blood pressure (BP), cholesterol and HbA1c measured and recorded increased over the study period [from 50.6% to 87.0% (P < 0.0001), 17.0% to 76.7% (P < 0.0001) and 32.9% to 74.1% (P < 0.0001), respectively]. However, some ethnic differences remained. Black patients with diabetes were less likely to achieve target BP (<140/80 mmHg) than the white group [2006 age-sex adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 0.65; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.51-0.83]. South Asians were found to have better lipid target control (2006 AOR, 1.57; CI, 1.23-2.00), were more likely to receive oral hypoglycaemic agents (2006 AOR, 2.27; CI, 1.79-2.86) but less likely to receive insulin (2006 AOR, 0.54; CI, 0.42-0.69) than the white group.

CONCLUSIONS

Although ethnic disparities persist in diabetes management in this study population, these are starting to be addressed, particularly in the South Asian group. All ethnic groups have benefited from recent quality initiatives in the UK.

[Effects by androgen suppression with luteinizing hormone on cognitive functions in men treated for cancer of prostate]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate secondary effects on cognitive functions as memory and attention impairments in men treated by androgen suppression for cancer of prostate.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective study on men treated with luteinizing hormone-realising hormone analogues (LH-RH analogues) for cancer of prostate was designed. Eighteen men were evaluated with cognitive tests as Mini Mental State (MMS), memory evaluation (Grober-Buschke, Rey Test), attention and executive test (Trail Making Test and Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale [MADRS]) before beginning androgen suppression. Base line pretreatment assessments of every patient were compared with similar tests after six and 12 months of hormone therapy.

RESULTS

On 18 patients, 14 were eligible with pretreatment-median PSA of 22ng/ml (13-659), testosterone of 477ng/dl (398-583), which decreased to 1 and 37ng/dl, respectively. Visual-memory test (Rey test) was significantly improved at M6 (p: 0,001) and M12 (p: 0,02) as was the inversed number-memory test (WAIS) after M6 of androgen suppression and (p: 0,03).

CONCLUSION

After 12 months of androgen suppression, global cognitive performances were preserved. Our results failed to observe impairment of cognitive function. This deserves more important prospective study.

Management of complications of androgen deprivation therapy in the older man

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in older men. With the aging of the population, the number of older men with prostate cancer will grow rapidly. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the mainstay of treatment for men with systemic disease and is increasingly utilized as primary therapy or in combination with other therapies for localized disease. Side effects of therapy are multifold and include hot flashes, osteoporosis, and adverse psychological and metabolic effects. Recent research has illustrated that ADT can negatively impact the functional, cognitive, and physical performance of older men. Patients with prostate cancer, despite recurrence of the disease, have a long life expectancy and may be subjected to the side effects of ADT for many years. This review highlights the complications of ADT and approaches to management. We also provide recommendations for assessment and management of ADT complications among the most vulnerable and frail older male patients.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist use in men without a cancer registry diagnosis of prostate cancer

Background

Use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists has become popular for virtually all stages of prostate cancer. We hypothesized that some men receive these agents after only a limited work-up for their cancer. Such cases may be missed by tumor registries, leading to underestimates of the total extent of GnRH agonist use.

Methods

We used linked Surveillance, Epidemiology and End-Results (SEER)-Medicare data from 1993 through 2001 to identify GnRH agonist use in men with either a diagnosis of prostate cancer registered in SEER, or with a diagnosis of prostate cancer based only on Medicare claims (from the 5% control sample of Medicare beneficiaries residing in SEER areas without a registered diagnosis of cancer). The proportion of incident GnRH agonist users without a registry diagnosis of prostate cancer was calculated. Factors associated with lack of a registry diagnosis were examined in multivariable analyses.

Results

Of incident GnRH agonist users, 8.9% had no diagnosis of prostate cancer registered in SEER. In a multivariable logistic regression model, lack of a registry diagnosis of prostate cancer in GnRH agonist users was significantly more likely with increasing comorbidity, whereas it was less likely in men who had undergone either inpatient admission or procedures such as radical prostatectomy, prostate biopsy, or transurethral resection of the prostate.

Conclusion

Reliance solely on tumor registry data may underestimate the rate of GnRH agonist use in men with prostate cancer.

Decrease in the number of reported cases of zygomycosis among patients with diabetes mellitus: a hypothesis

The number of reported cases of zygomycosis in patients with diabetes mellitus in developed countries has decreased since the 1990s, despite the rapid increase in the prevalence of diabetic patients in the Western world. Although prospective population-based studies need to better document this phenomenon, which may have a complex explanation, here I propose the hypothesis that widespread use of statins in patients with diabetes underlies such a trend. Statins have been shown to direct inhibitory activity against a range of Zygomycetes molds, both in vitro and in vivo.

Contemporary use of hormonal therapy in prostate cancer: managing complications and addressing quality-of-life issues

While both short- and long-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) are effective for treating prostate cancer, with the clinical benefits patients can often have significant side-effects. It is important that these complications are recognized and managed appropriately so that adverse effects on the patient's quality of life (QoL) are minimized. The incidence of deaths from prostate cancer has decreased over the last decade, probably as a result of various factors including improved screening and diagnosis, improved treatments, and better risk assessment to help guide therapy. A meta-analysis of prostate cancer trials comparing the use of early vs late hormonal therapy found that 10-year overall survival increased by up to 20% between 1990 and 2000, and this was attributed to the earlier use of hormone therapy (HT) in these patients. Data from the USA Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urological Research Endeavor database also suggest a significant decrease in risk in the last two decades in the USA, with more patients being identified with low-risk disease at diagnosis. In addition, there has been an increase in recent years in the use of HT at all stages of prostate cancer. The extensive use of ADT has raised concerns about potential adverse effects. ADT might be associated with a range of adverse effects that vary in their degree of morbidity and effect on the patient's QoL. They include hot flashes, osteoporosis, loss of libido or impotence, and psychological effects, e.g. depression, memory difficulties or emotional lability. Effective strategies are available for managing the major side-effects of HT, but to many patients these unwanted effects are often less important than the benefits of treatment. An investigation of health-related QoL found that men with prostate cancer receiving ADT had a poorer QoL than those not receiving ADT, but the difference was less pronounced after controlling for comorbidities. Many new therapies are currently under investigation which aim to maximize the clinical effects of ADT while reducing the adverse effects.

Long-term side effects of androgen deprivation therapy in men with non-metastatic prostate cancer: A systematic literature review

Increasing numbers of men with non-metastatic disease are receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for a variety of indications, some of which are supported by evidence from randomized trials. Balanced against possible survival benefits and better disease control are data that ADT adversely affects quality of life, particularly in the areas of sexual function, physical function, and energy. There is some evidence of worsening upper extremity physical strength but no clear evidence of decline in daily function with ADT. The impact of ADT on cognitive function is not clear at this time. ADT is associated with declines in bone mineral density within 6-12 months of commencing treatment, with increased fracture rates within 5 years of treatment. ADT use is also associated with a 10-15g/L decline in hemoglobin, although the clinical significance of this drop appears to be limited for most patients. It is reasonable for physicians who are about to start men on ADT to obtain a baseline bone mineral density, to counsel them about the impact on sexual function and possible treatments for sexual dysfunction, and to encourage regular exercise. Further insight into adverse effects of ADT and strategies to minimize these adverse effects await data from ongoing studies.