title: Androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer: effects on hand function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonists are used in most patients with locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer, and decrease testosterone production. We aimed to find out the effects of androgen deprivation therapy with LH-RH agonist on the hand function, quality of life, and mood of the patients with prostate cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 20 patients with locally advanced prostate cancer and 20 age-matched healthy men were included in the study as LH-RH and control groups, respectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Age, body mass index, occupation and dominant hand, physical activity level, Beck depression inventory scores, 15D quality of life questionnaire scores, and Duruoz hand index scores were recorded. Handgrip strength was tested in the dominant hand using the Jamar hand dynamometer (Sammons Preston, Inc., Bollingbrook, IL). The Grooved Pegboard Test was used to test manual dexterity. Serum concentrations of total and free testosterone, estradiol levels were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences between the groups in body mass index, physical activity level, and age (P > 0.05). Serum total and free testosterone, estradiol level, and the mean grip strength score were statistically lower in the LH-RH group. Manual dexterity was diminished in the LH-RH group (P < 0.001). The Duruoz hand index, and Beck depression inventory and 15D quality of life questionnaire scores were statistically lower in the LH-RH group (P < 0.005). We found a correlation between handgrip strength, dexterity, Beck depression inventory scores, 15D quality of life questionnaire scores, and total and free testosterone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Men with low testosterone levels caused by androgen deprivation therapy have worse grip strength, dexterity, 15D quality of life questionnaire scores, and depressive symptoms than age-matched men who have not received androgen deprivation therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Suleyman Demirel University School of Medicine, Isparta, Turkey.
authors.forename: Feray
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Soyupek
authors.forename: Sedat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Soyupek
authors.forename: Hakki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Perk
authors.forename: Alper
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ozorak
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists*; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone