MedWire News: Men receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer have an increased risk of physical impairment and falling, indicates research published in the journal Urology.

Despite having well-established side effects such as muscle weakness, fatigue, and bone loss, androgen deprivation therapy is increasingly being used in older prostate cancer patients. Notably, these patients are already at risk for age-related functional decline.

Dr Supriya Mohile, from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York, USA, and team studied 50 men with a median age of 78 years. All study participants were receiving androgen deprivation for prostate cancer. Patients were screened for the ability to care for themselves and participate in activities of daily living, their risk of functional decline, and their balance, quadriceps strength and walking speed.

Overall, the men exhibited a high degree of functional and physical impairment. Over half (56%) had abnormal scores on balance measures, walking speed and quadriceps strength, while 22% reported falls within the previous 3 months. More than half also reported declines in self-perceived physical health.

In addition, the patients showed declines in activities of daily living, including those considered instrumental to functioning, such as preparing meals, managing money, food shopping, and performing housework.

"The results of this study have demonstrated that older men with prostate cancer receiving long-term androgen deprivation therapy exhibit significant functional physical impairment and are at risk of falls," say the researchers.

Noting that declines in activities of daily living and general function are linked to increased risk of death, the team concludes that careful assessment of physical and functional deficits among older men receiving androgen deprivation therapy is advised.