TITLE:
Sexual Function in Men with Castrate Levels of Testosterone: Observations of a Subgroup of Sexually Active Men with Prostate Cancer Undergoing Androgen Deprivation Therapy
AUTHORS:
Evan Ng, Tammy Corica, Sandra Turner, Adeline Lim, Nigel Spry
KEYWORDS:
Prostate Cancer, Intermittent Androgen Suppression, Exercise, Sexual Function, Leuprolide, Flutamide
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Urology,
Vol.4 No.7,
July
21,
2014
ABSTRACT: Purpose:
To identify possible factors that influence sexual function in men undergoing
maximal androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Patients and Methods: A descriptive
exploration was performed looking at characteristics of twenty-two men
reporting sexual activity after nine months of maximal ADT. This previously
published Phase II study, involved 250 prostate cancer patients undergoing
intermittent ADT. An analysis between this cohort and the group that did not
maintain sexual function was performed to ascertain if age, testosterone level,
functional status or maintenance of quadriceps strength had an impact upon
sexual function. Results: There was no difference in age, testosterone level or
ECOG performance status between the sexually active and non-sexually active
groups. Over the course of 9 months of ADT, the sexually active group appeared
to maintain quadriceps muscle strength as measured with physical stands, and
maintained overall health as measured by quality of life questionaries,
compared to the non-sexually active group. Conclusions: This retrospective
study suggests that exercise during ADT may reduce the impact of ADT on sexual
function. This warrants further testing, and could be the focus of future
randomised controlled trials.