Assessment and management of fracture risk in men with prostate cancer taking androgen deprivation therapy: a retrospective observational primary care database study.

Background: Prostate Cancer (PCa) is the commonest cancer in the UK. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a mainstay of treatment. It increases fragility fractures causing a huge burden to patients and the NHS. As men live longer with PCa, many require prolonged ADT. Reducing fracture risks and improving cancer survivorship is becoming increasingly important. Primary care plays an important role.
Aim: To evaluate how fracture risk of PCa patients taking ADT (PCa-ADT) was assessed and managed in primary care.
Method: A retrospective multi-practice database study. PCa patients were identified using SNOMED codes from five sociodemographically diverse practices (registered population 49 400). Data were extracted by hand-searching records, including hospital letters, and included: demographics; a 10-year fragility fracture score (FRAX); NOGG intervention threshold; DEXA requests; and use of bisphosphonates.
Results: Of the 261 PCa patients identified, 6% were Black African/Caribbean and 89% White British. Half had been prescribed ADT, 28% being current users. No fracture risk assessment was documented for any patients. ADT current users had significantly increased FRAX scores for both major osteoporotic fractures (MOF) (9.61%±1.12%) and hip fracture (HF) (5.30%±1.02%) compared with PCa patients without ADT (7.08%±0.57% [MOF] and 3.06%±0.46% [HF], P <0.001). For ADT current users, 39% showed intermediate fracture risk (NOGG amber), warranting a DEXA scan, with only 30% performed. Patients in more affluent areas received more DEXA scans and bisphosphonate treatment.
Conclusion: Osteoporosis is underdiagnosed and undertreated in men with PCa-ADT, especially in those with deprived backgrounds. There is an unmet need to manage the fracture prevention in this population.
(© British Journal of General Practice 2024.)