Impact of androgen deprivation therapy on physical and cognitive function, as well as quality of life of patients...

Many patients with prostate cancer receive androgen deprivation therapy for long periods. We compared physical and cognitive function, and quality of life in a cross-sectional study of 57 patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy for nonmetastatic prostate cancer and 51 healthy age matched controls.

Physical and daily function were measured by the 6-minute walk test, grip strength, the timed up and go test, and activities of daily living measures. Cognitive function was evaluated by the High Sensitivity Cognitive Screen and by a self-report prototype Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy cognitive function subscale. Quality of life was assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General with the subscale for fatigue and by the Patient-Oriented Prostate Utility Scale.

Androgen deprivation therapy was given for a median of 1.8 years (range 0.4 to 7.4). Patients had lower median hemoglobin than controls (134 vs 148 gm/l, p <0.0001). Performance on physical tests was similar in the 2 groups. Moderate or severe cognitive impairment by the High Sensitivity Cognitive Screen was similar for patients (23%) and controls (35%, p = 0.2). Self-reported cognitive dysfunction was also similar. Scores for the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General were similar but the Patient Oriented Prostate Utility Scale summary score was worse for patients (median 71 vs 86, p <0.001). More patients reported severe fatigue (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue score less than 35, p = 0.03). Low energy, poor bladder control and loss of sexual function were reported in 36%, 47% and 95% of patients, and in 16%, 34% and 33% of controls, respectively.

Patients treated with androgen deprivation therapy experience more symptoms and have worse fatigue than controls, but this study did not detect any effect on physical or cognitive function.