Fatigue and Muscle Function in Prostate Cancer Survivors Receiving Different Treatment Regimens

Abstract

Introduction: Prostate cancer is the most prevalent neoplastic disease in men. After diagnosis, different treatment regimens are proposed based on the stage of the cancer. These treatments affect physical and muscle function, quality of life, and prognosis differently. Objectives: To assess fatigue, muscle strength, muscle thickness, and muscle quality in prostate cancer survivors undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Methods: Ten ADT patients, eight non-ADT patients and 18 healthy control subjects were enrolled in this study. Perceived fatigue was assessed through the 20-item Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory. Muscle thickness and quality (e.g., echo intensity) were assessed through B-mode ultrasound. Muscle strength and work capacity were assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer. The groups were compared with one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni adjustment. Results: Muscle thickness, peak torque, and work capacity were lower in ADT than in the control group (CON) (p = 0.021; p = 0.005; p <0.001, respectively). ADT showed greater echo intensity than CON (p = 0.005) and N-ADT (p = 0.046). There were no differences between N-ADT and CON in terms of muscle thickness, peak torque, work capacity, and echo intensity (p >0.05). General fatigue was greater in both ADT (p = 0.030) and N-ADT (p = 0.047) compared to CON. Physical fatigue was greater in ADT than CON (p = 0.006). Conclusion: ADT patients showed lower levels of muscle function and greater levels of perceived fatigue than healthy control subjects. It appears that muscle function remains lower in ADT patients, even several years after treatment initiation, although this does not apply to non-ADT patients. Level of evidence II; Diagnostic Studies -Investigating a Diagnostic Test.

Relationship Between Handgrip Strength and Metabolic Syndrome Among Middle-Aged and Elderly Cancer Survivors

“…Specifically, for men, among the components of metabolic syndrome, waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose showed an important relationship with relative handgrip strength. According to a previous study, 38 prostate cancer survivors receiving androgen deprivation therapy showed lower muscle strength and function that could lead to metabolic dysfunction.…”

Análise do desempenho funcional e da qualidade de vida de sobreviventes de câncer de próstata submetidos a diferentes tipos de tratamento

“…Sabe-se que os diversos tratamentos do CP podem afetar de forma diferente a capacidade física dos sobreviventes. A terapia de privação androgênica, por exemplo, pode potencializar a perda de força muscular, de capacidade de trabalho e de tecido muscular esquelético, além de aumentar a percepção de fadiga física, em função da inibição da produção de testosterona (12). Entretanto, faz-se necessário saber se os tratamentos do CP também promovem diferentes efeitos na funcionalidade dos pacientes, modificando as atividades da vida diária.…”

“…Estudos demonstraram que homens submetidos a TPA, principalmente em exposições mais prolongadas, apresentam um maior aumento na massa gorda e uma menor quantidade de tecido muscular esquelético, quando comparados com homens com CP submetidos a outros tipos de tratamento e a homens saudáveis (12,16). Estudos longitudinais demonstram que homens em tratamento com TPA com duração entre 36 -52 semanas apresentaram ganho de gordura substancial, entre 9,4% e 19,3%, e diminuição na massa magra (17).…”

The Effect of Familiarization on the Reliability of Isokinetic Assessment in Breast Cancer Survivors

“…The amount of familiarization sessions required to avoid learning effect and to improve reliability of measurements in isokinetic testing seems to vary according to the population tested. Several studies have used isokinetic tests to assess muscle function of cancer survivors [10,12,35]. However, to our knowledge, no studies to date have assessed the amount of familiarization sessions required by breast cancer survivors to produce a reliable and accurate measurement using isokinetic dynamometry testing.…”