Changes in bone mineral density in men starting androgen deprivation therapy and the protective role of vitamin D.

SUMMARY: Androgen deprivation therapy in 80 men was associated with declines in bone mineral density (BMD), which were greatest in the first year, and in the lumbar spine compared to controls. Vitamin D use was associated with improved BMD in the lumbar spine and in the first year. INTRODUCTION: Decreased BMD is a common side effect of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), leading to increased risk of fractures. Although loss of BMD appears to be greatest within the first year of starting ADT, there are few long-term studies of change in BMD, and risk factors for bone loss are not well-characterized. METHODS: Men aged 50+ with nonmetastatic prostate cancer starting continuous ADT were enrolled in a prospective longitudinal study. BMD was determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at baseline and yearly for 3 years. Matched controls were men with prostate cancer not receiving ADT. Multivariable regression analysis examined predictors of BMD loss. RESULTS: Eighty ADT users and 80 controls were enrolled (mean age 69 years); 52.5 % had osteopenia and 8.1 % had osteoporosis at baseline. After 1 year, in adjusted models, ADT was associated with significant losses in lumbar spine BMD compared to controls (-2.57 %, p = 0.006), with a trend towards greater declines at the total hip (p = 0.09). BMD changes in years 2 and 3 were much smaller and not statistically different from controls. Use of vitamin D but not calcium was associated with improved BMD in the lumbar spine in year 1 (+6.19 %, p < 0.001) with smaller nonsignificant increases at other sites (+0.86 % femoral neck, +0.86 % total hip, p > 0.10) primarily in the first year. CONCLUSIONS: Loss of BMD associated with ADT is greatest at the lumbar spine and in the first year. Vitamin D but not calcium may be protective particularly in the first year of ADT use.

Older age is associated with similar quality of life and physical function compared to younger age during intensive chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia.

We examined the quality of life (QOL) and physical function over the first three cycles of intensive chemotherapy in 103 newly diagnosed younger (18-59 years, n=64) and older adults (age 60 or older, n=39) with acute myeloid leukemia. Both QOL and physical function were worse than normative data. QOL was fairly stable over time and similar in both age groups, whereas physical function generally improved over time, although the improvement was somewhat greater in younger than older adults. Compared to younger adults, older adults tolerate intensive chemotherapy quite well from QOL and physical function perspectives.

Cardiac and cognitive effects of androgen deprivation therapy: are they real?

With androgen deprivation therapy being used ever earlier and longer in the course of prostate cancer, concerns have emerged about a variety of adverse effects, including cardiovascular disease and cognitive dysfunction. Conflicting data in both areas have led to controversy and confusion. Here, we review published data in an attempt to clarify those issues.

Information needs of adult patients 50 or older with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia.

When faced with a life-threatening illness such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), patients may feel overwhelmed with making treatment decisions. We recruited 31 consecutive English-speaking patients aged > or = 50 with newly diagnosed AML. We explored patient information needs, decision-making roles, and perceptions about prognosis. Most patients felt that they had enough information about the diagnosis and treatment options and that the doctor spent the right amount of time with them. The majority of patients preferred a passive or collaborative decision-making role. Almost half the patients did not know their estimated 6-month prognosis, and 17% felt it was 90% or better.

Susceptibility of salmonella; shigella and vibrio cholerae 01 to antimicrobial agents at Muhimbili Medical Centre; Dar es Salaam during 1990-19 [sic]

Surveillance of susceptibility of salmonelle; shigella; and v.cholerae 01 to antimicrobial agents was conducted in the period January 1990 - June 1991 at Muhimibili Medical Centre Dar es Salaam. Of the 82 salmonella isolates studied 53(64.4 percent) were resistant to sulphonamide/trimethoprim; 50(61 percent) to ampicillin; 31(37.8 percent) to tetracycline and none was resistant to chlormaphenicol or ciprofloxacin. Of 73 shigella isolates 44(60.2 percent) were equally resistant to sulphonamide/trimethoprim and ampicillin; and 43(58.9 percent) to tetracycline. Eight (10.9 percent) of the shigella were resistant to chloramphenicol and 1(1.3 percent) was resistant to augmentin and none was resistant to ciprofloxacin. [abstract terminated]