Changes in Body Image in Patients with Prostate Cancer over 2 Years of Treatment with a Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogue (Triptorelin): Results from a Belgian Non-Interventional Study

Abstract

BackgroundAndrogen deprivation therapy has been associated with worsened body image in prostate cancer patients. Body image and physical presentation changes were investigated in patients receiving a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (triptorelin) as part of treatment for locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer.ObjectiveThe aim was to evaluate the changes in self-perception of the body and to assess the relationship of these changes over a period of 2 years in men treated with triptorelin as primary therapy for advanced or locally advanced prostate cancer.MethodsData were collected for 2 years in accordance with routine clinical practice. Body image was assessed using the body image scale (BIS). Patient body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were also measured.ResultsBIS and BMI data for both baseline and a least one post-baseline visit were available for 98 of the 145 patients enrolled. The median change in BIS score for patients assessed around 12 or 24 months after baseline and at the last observation was zero, indicating no body image deterioration in at least half of patients. Statistically significant BIS score increases were detected in assessments around 6, 12 and 18 months, but not after 2 years, indicating some patients experienced body image deterioration at some point during treatment. Changes in BMI from baseline were modest and generally not statistically significant. Waist circumference increased during the study (mean ± standard deviation increase of 1.00 ± 5.01 cm at the last observation). Positive correlations were determined between increases in BIS score and both BMI and waist circumference (r = 0.235 and 0.267, respectively; p = 0.020 and 0.008) at the last observation for all patients, as well as during the second year of the study.ConclusionsMost patients did not experience clinically meaningful worsening of body image perception during the study. BMI and waist circumference had a modest impact on body image during study year 2.

Quantifying the changes in body mass index and performance status during androgen deprivation therapy for advanced prostate cancer in southeast Nigeria

“…This is similar to the report by Østergren et al, (2019) that compared BTO with triptorelin, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue [21]. It can be seen also from this study that a further drop in BMI from time of first dose of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue occurred prior to the anticipated gain akin to the report in 2016 by van den Driesscheet al from Belgium [22].…”

Prognostic factors for mental wellbeing in prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Only a single small longitudinal study of 145 patients was identified evaluating prognostic factors for body image issues 37 (Supplementary Material S9 ). This largely focussed on the use of ADT on body image disturbance, highlighting its increasing use to be associated body image disturbance.…”

A systematic review of tools used to assess body image, masculinity and self‐esteem in men with prostate cancer

“…The final number of tools identified was 17. Of these, seven were modified versions of tools already identified, either using subscales, 4,8,[14][15][16] specific items, [17][18][19][20] removing specific items 21 or translating the tool to an alternative language. 22,23 There was one tool used to measure self-esteem, nine to measure masculinity, and seven to measure body image.…”

“…Body image was assessed in a total of 2753 patients, using seven different tools across 10 studies (Table 2). 4,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] The most frequent of these was the Body Image Scale (BIS), used in 697 participants. 30 Participants ranged in age from 54 to 90 and were undergoing a variety of treatments, including radical prostatectomy, ADT and radiation.…”

“…The BIS by Hopwood et al 30 was used twice in English, 26,28 twice in other languages 22,23 and once with one of the items removed. 21 The BIS, although intended for use in all cancer populations, was originally developed and validated in breast, large bowel, testicular, gynaecological cancers and lymphoma. In the studies identified by this review, internal consistency was stated for four of the five studies, being sufficient in all (Cronbach's alpha = 0.72-0.90).…”