Bone health and its correlates in Korean prostate cancer patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy

- Approximately 67% of men with prostate cancer receiving ADT showed low bone density.
- Our study supports that there is need to screen bone health of this population.
- Economic status & levels of physical activity are important factors of bone health.

PurposeThis study aimed to examine bone health status, identify factors associated with bone mineral density (BMD), and determine potential risk factors for osteoporosis in Korean prostate cancer patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).MethodsUsing a cross-sectional descriptive design, we recruited 139 men with prostate cancer receiving ADT at two university-based hospitals in South Korea. Participants completed a self-reported questionnaire and underwent dual energy X-ray absorptiometry testing. BMD (gm/cm2), bone health status (normal BMD, osteopenia, and osteoporosis), and lifestyle variables (physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption) were measured.ResultsThe prevalence in our sample was 49.6% for osteopenia and 17.3% for osteoporosis. In multivariate linear regression analyses, BMD was positively associated with body mass index, number of comorbidities, and level of physical activity and negatively associated with being unemployed or retired, having a lower monthly income, and being treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone therapy alone. In logistic regression analyses, potential risk factors for osteoporosis were low monthly income (OR = 4.33, p = 0.011), receipt of radiation therapy (OR = 4.69, p = 0.018), and lack of regular physical activity (OR = 2.63, p = 0.035).ConclusionsOur results suggest that a proportion of prostate cancer survivors who are receiving ADT warrant monitoring to prevent osteoporosis, particularly men of lower economic status and those having lower levels of physical activity. Nurses can play an important role in screening these high risk groups.