Androgen deprivation in men with prostate cancer is associated with an increased rate of bone loss

The objective of this work was to determine the effect of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on rates of bone mineral density (BMD) loss in men with prostate cancer. It was a prospective study comparing men receiving ADT to age matched controls for 2 y. Subjects received a history, physical exam, bone mineral density measurement, and laboratory evaluation every 6 months. Thirty-nine subjects receiving continuous ADT for prostate cancer (subjects) were compared to 39 age-matched controls not receiving ADT (controls). Twenty-three subjects and 30 controls completed the study through 24 months. Men in the ADT group demonstrated greater rates of bone mineral density loss than men in the control group at every site except the lumbar spine. Twenty-four month per cent of bone mineral density loss is presented as mean±standard error (s.e.). At the distal forearm, the ADT group value was −9.4%±1.0% and −4.4%±0.3% for controls (P<0.0005). The ADT group femoral neck values were −1.9%±0.7% and 0.6%±0.5% in the control group (P=0.0016). The ADT group total hip value was −1.5%±1.0% and 0.8%±0.5% in the control group (P=0.0018). The ADT group trochanter value was −2.0%±1.3% and −0.1%±0.5% in the control group (P=0.0019). The ADT group lumbar spine value was −0.2%±0.8 % and 1.1%±0.6% in the control group (P=0.079). Our data demonstrate greater rates of bone mineral density loss in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.