Patient self-injection: a new approach to administering luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogues.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility and advantages of self-injection of a depot dose of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogue in patients with prostate cancer.


METHODS
Twenty patients (mean age 70.9 years, range 53-85) with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer were recruited from urology clinics and, using a defined protocol, were taught to perform self-injection of a depot LHRH analogue (Prostap SR or Prostap 3, leuprorelin acetate, Wyeth Laboratories, Berks, UK). Patients were then followed for 1 year.


RESULTS
Of the 20 patients, 11 successfully learned to use self-injection and administered injections for the duration of the study. Ten of the patients chose self-injection and continued to self-inject after the end of this study.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study of 20 patients showed that it is feasible for a selected group of patients to be taught self-injection of an LHRH analogue, and that some patients prefer this mode of drug administration.
Hamm
R
R
Department of Urology, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK. rebecca.hamm@virgin.net
Patel
B
B
Whittlestone
T
T
Persad
R
R
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012646:Self Administration
D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone