Effects of androgen deprivation therapy on cognitive functions in
patients with metastatic prostate cancer: A multicentric, prospective
study of the Society of Urological Surgery Andrology group
Abstract
Abstract Aims of the study: The aim of this study was to investigate the
impact of testosterone deficiency on cognitive functions in metastatic
prostate cancer patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).
Methods: In this multicentric prospective study, 65 metastatic prostate
cancer patients were evaluated. Demographic and clinical data were
recorded. Cognitive functions were assessed using the Symbol Digit
Modalities Test, the California Verbal Learning Test Second Edition, the
Brief Visuospatial Memory Test - Revised, and the Trail Making Test.
Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory.
Cognitive functions and depressive symptoms were recorded before the
androgen deprivation therapy and at the 3- and 6-month follow ups.
Results: At the basal cognitive assessment, the mean Symbol Digit
Modalities Test, the California Verbal Learning Test Second Edition, the
Brief Visuospatial Memory Test - Revised scores were 25.84 ± 17.54,
32.68 ± 10.60, and 17.63 ± 11.23, respectively, and the mean time for
the Trail Making Test was 221.56 ± 92.44 s., and were similar at the
3-month, and 6-month controls (p > 0.05). The mean
pretreatment, third and sixth month testosterone levels were 381.40 ±
157.53 ng/dL, 21.61 ± 9.09 ng/dL, and 12.25 ± 6.45 ng/dL (p <
0.05), and the total PSA levels were 46.46 ± 37.83 ng/mL, 1.41 ± 3.31
ng/mL, and 0.08 ± 0.14 ng/mL (p < 0.05), respectively.
Conclusion: The ADT in patients with metastatic prostate cancer does not
affect patients’ cognitive functions and depressive symptoms. However,
further prospective randomized studies with higher cohorts and longer
follow up periods are needed.