Heterogeneity in regional changes in body composition induced by androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancer patients: potential impact on bone health—the BLADE study

Abstract

Abstract Background It is not clear whether changes in body composition induced by androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in prostate cancer (PC) patients are uniform or vary in the different body districts and whether regional lean body mass (LBM) and fat body mass (FBM) could have an impact on bone health. Objective To prospectively evaluate the regional changes in LBM and FBM in PC patients submitted to degarelix; to explore the relationship of regional body composition and bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers. Design, setting, and participants 29 consecutive non metastatic PC patients enrolled from 2017 to 2019. FBM, LBM and bone mineral density (BMD) evaluated by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at baseline and after 12-month of ADT. Alkaline phosphate (ALP) and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Intervention All patients underwent degarelix administration. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis T-test or sign test and Pearson or Spearman test for continuous variables were used when indicated. Results and limitations Median percent increase in FBM ranged from + 14.5% in trunk to + 25.4% in the left leg after degarelix. LBM changes varied from + 2% in the trunk to − 4.9% in the right arm. LBM in both arms and legs and their variations after degarelix directly correlated with ALP and inversely correlated with CTX. Lean mass of limbs, trunk and legs significantly correlated with BMD of the hip, lean mass of the trunk significantly correlated with spine BMD. These are post-hoc analysis of a prospective study and this is the main limitation. Conclusions an heterogeneous change in body composition among body district is observed after ADT and bone turnover is influenced by lean mass and its variation. A supervised physical activity is crucial to maintain general physical performance and preserving bone health.