Androgen-deprivation therapy and metabolic syndrome in men with prostate cancer

Purpose/Objectives: To examine the trajectory of changes in body composition and metabolic profile in men who receive androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer. Design: Prospective longitudinal design with repeated measures. Setting: Urban medical center in the southwestern United States. Sample: 55 men starting radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Methods: Changes in the parameters of metabolic syndrome were estimated with ADT (n = 31) and non-ADT (n = 24) groups by repeated-measures analysis of variance implemented by general linear mixed-effects models. Models included interactions between groups and follow-up time to test differences between the groups. Main Research Variables: Body composition and metabolic variables. Findings: The ADT group demonstrated a transient increase in waist circumference at the nine-month time point and significant changes in measures of insulin resistance were noted at the three month point. Values for diastolic and systolic blood pressure, plasma glucose, high-density lipo-protein, and triglycerides were not altered for either group. Differences in metabolic variables or measures of body composition did not differ significantly between the groups. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate the development of insulin resistance in men receiving ADT as early as three months after starting ADT. Implications for Nursing: Addressing survivorship concerns can lead to the development of nursing interventions designed to reduce adverse effects associated with ADT.