[Quality of life of patients with prostate cancer under androgen deprivation with GnRH analogues: Results of the noninterventional study TRIPTOSIX]
BACKGROUND In Germany, data on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with advanced prostate cancer (PCa) under therapy with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues are limited. OBJECTIVES Androgen deprivation (ADT) is a palliative therapy for patients with advanced PCa, which is given over long periods and usually continued in combination with other therapies even after progression of the disease. The present study aimed to assess prospectively (over 1 year) different aspects of patients' QoL therapy with triptorelin in daily practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS This prospective, noninterventional study at 129 centers in Germany included 608 patients with advanced PCa treated with triptorelin. Quality of life was assessed at baseline and after 6 and 12 months, using validated EORTC QLQ C30 and QLQ PR25 questionnaires. Predefined subgroup analyses were performed to assess the impact of demographics, anamnestic and clinical parameters on QoL. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The majority of patients with PCa under therapy with triptorelin showed generally stable global QoL over 1 year; approximately one quarters of the patients had a clinically relevant improvement of their global QoL. In patients without previous PCa therapy and GnRH analogue treatment, significant improvements in global QoL were seen. At the same time, these patients also reported increased treatment related symptoms. These data indicate that the perception of global QoL is not only influenced by subjective impairment through ADT related side effects.
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