The impact of androgen deprivation therapy on the lipid profile in patients with prostate carcinoma

Background Dyslipidemia is directly related to morbidity and mortality in elderly prostate carcinoma patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on the lipid profile among Indian patients with locally advanced and metastatic prostate carcinoma. Methods The prospective database of prostate carcinoma patients, who received ADT and whose lipid profile data for the first two years of treatment with ADT was available, were divided into two groups for retrospective analysis: Group A patients are those who had undergone bilateral orchidectomy, while group B patients received luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist (LHRHa). The data analyzed include baseline characteristics, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and lipid profile. Results A total of 69 eligible patients were divided into two groups: group A-29 patients and group B-40 patients. Patients of both the groups reported a significant decrease in the mean serum PSA level from the commencement of ADT and remained close to nadir level till 24 months. In the group A patients, lipid profile parameters except high-density lipoprotein cholesterol showed statistically insignificant deterioration with maximum impact at 6 months. Among the group B patients, the total cholesterol (11.9%), triglycerides (22.2%), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (21.1%) increased significantly at 6 months and returned to the near baseline at 12 months and thereafter persisted at the similar level. The mean very low-density lipoprotein level (15.5%) also increased significantly at 6 months and then showed a gradual decline till 24 months of follow-up. Conclusions LHRH agonist used as ADT for prostate carcinoma leads to a statistically significant but clinically insignificant temporary worsening in the lipid profile.