[Impact of Androgen Deprivation Therapy on Lower Urinary Tract Function in Patients with Prostate Cancer]

Late-onset hypogonadism syndrome causes various symptoms in middle-aged and older men due to testosterone deficiency. However, there are few reports on its relationship with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). We investigated changes in urinary symptoms in patients treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer. This retrospective study included 38 patients who underwent ADT prior to low-dose-rate brachytherapy for low-risk prostate cancer and had no LUTS before treatment at our hospital. The median duration of ADT was 4 months. Prostate volume significantly decreased after ADT (P＜0.001), while the total International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) showed a tendency to worsen (P＝0.053). When IPSS was divided into voiding and storage symptom scores, there was no significant worsening in the voiding symptom score (P＝0.29) ; however, there was a significant worsening in the storage symptom score (P＝0.011). In addition, we observed a significant increase in urinary frequency at night (P＝0.009) and a significant worsening of the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (P＝0.035). Thus, we suggest that short-term ADT may reduce prostate volume ; however, it may also lead to LUTS, particularly urinary storage symptoms.