Androgen-deprivation therapy and metabolic syndrome in men with prostate cancer

To examine the trajectory of changes in body composition and metabolic profile in men who receive androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer.

Prospective longitudinal design with repeated measures.

Urban medical center in the southwestern United States.

55 men starting radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

Changes in the parameters of metabolic syndrome were estimated with ADT (n=31) and non-ADT (n=24) groups by repeated-measures analysis of variance implemented by general linear mixed-effects models. Models included interactions between groups and follow-up time to test differences between the groups.

Body composition and metabolic variables.

The ADT group demonstrated a transient increase in waist circumference at the nine-month time point and significant changes in measures of insulin resistance were noted at the three month point. Values for diastolic and systolic blood pressure, plasma glucose, high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides were not altered for either group. Differences in metabolic variables or measures of body composition did not differ significantly between the groups.

The findings demonstrate the development of insulin resistance in men receiving ADT as early as three months after starting ADT.

Addressing survivorship concerns can lead to the development of nursing interventions designed to reduce adverse effects associated with ADT.