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Does pharmacological castration as adjuvant therapy for prostate cancer after radiotherapy affect anxiety and depression levels, cognitive functions and quality of life?
Author(s) -
Wiechno Paweł J.,
Sadowska Małgorzata,
Kalinowski Tomasz,
Michalski Wojciech,
Demkow Tomasz
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.2095
Subject(s) - medicine , anxiety , quality of life (healthcare) , prostate cancer , radiation therapy , sexual function , oncology , adjuvant , depression (economics) , libido , hormone , hormone therapy , cancer , gynecology , psychiatry , breast cancer , nursing , economics , macroeconomics
Adjuvant hormonotherapy for prostate cancer patients after radical radiotherapy has a well‐established value. However, the impact of such treatment on the patients' quality of life remains to be elucidated. Objective The objective is to assess the impact of adjuvant hormonotherapy with luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone analogue after radical radiotherapy on anxiety and depression levels, cognitive function, sexual function and quality of life of prostate cancer patients. Material and Methods Two groups of patients were tested: men treated with adjuvant hormonotherapy (88 patients) and men without hormonotherapy (61 patients). Anxiety, depression and cognitive functions were evaluated. Patients answered questions addressing problems linked to hormonal equilibrium. The patients rated their mental status, physical status, quality of life and quality of their relationship. Results There were no statistically significant differences between patients on hormonotherapy and without hormonotherapy in the level of anxiety and depression ( p = 0.844 and p = 0.954) as well as in cognitive function ( p = 0.661). Satisfactory sexual performance was preserved in 9/65 patients (14%) on hormonotherapy and the same was applied to 19/49 patients (39%) without hormonotherapy. The difference was statistically significant ( p = 0.003). Hormonotherapy was associated with decreased libido ( p = 0.031), hot flushes ( p < 0.001) and sweating ( p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in the self‐rated physical and psychological well‐being ( p = 0.476 and p = 0.597), quality of life ( p = 0.622) and quality of relationship ( p = 0.064). Conclusions Adjuvant hormonotherapy enhances neither anxiety nor depression, does not impair cognitive function but has a negative effect on the patients' sexual function. It does not worsen self‐rated quality of relationship and quality of life. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.