Heart Risks in Men on Hormone Therapy After Prostate Surgery: A 15-Year Study

What is it about?

This study investigates the relationship between intermittent adverse cardiovascular events (ACE) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in men who have undergone radical prostatectomy (RP) and experienced biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer. The research involved a retrospective review of data from 308 men, with 189 receiving ADT (treatment group) and 119 not receiving treatment (no treatment group). Methodologically, the study employed regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses to identify predictors of ACE. The results indicated that age, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), body mass index (BMI), and treatment status were significant predictors of ACE, with ADT treatment showing a trend towards significance. The 15-year Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a higher incidence of ACEs in the treatment group compared to the no treatment group. The study concludes that ADT is associated with an increased risk of ACE, emphasizing the prognostic value of CCI and BMI. Limitations include the retrospective design and limited analysis regarding cardiovascular mortality associated with ADT.

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Photo by Hush Naidoo Jade Photography on Unsplash

Photo by Hush Naidoo Jade Photography on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This research assesses the relationship between intermittent adverse cardiovascular events (ACE) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in men who have undergone radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer and experienced biochemical recurrence (BCR). The study is significant as it addresses the ongoing debate regarding the cardiovascular risks associated with ADT, a common treatment for prostate cancer patients experiencing BCR. Understanding these risks can help guide treatment decisions and management strategies for prostate cancer patients. Key Takeaways: 1. This study investigates the association between ADT and an increased risk of ACE in men post-RP with BCR, revealing that patients in the treatment group experienced a higher rate of ACE (54.4%) compared to those who did not receive treatment (41.8%). 2. The research demonstrates that, alongside ADT treatment status, factors such as Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and body mass index (BMI) are significant predictors of ACE, suggesting these could be valuable prognostic tools in clinical settings. 3. The study highlights the limitations of current literature, noting conflicting results between randomized control trials and observational studies regarding ADT's impact on cardiovascular mortality, emphasizing the need for further research to resolve these discrepancies.