title: Impact of androgen deprivation therapy on physical and cognitive function, as well as quality of life of patients with nonmetastatic prostate cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University of Toronto, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. fjoly@baclesse.fr
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Joly
authors.forename: S M H
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Alibhai
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Galica
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Q-L
authors.initials: QL
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: I F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Tannock
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003071:Cognition; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal