Cardiovascular disease prevention and management of pre-existent cardiovascular disease in a cohort of prostate cancer survivors

Prevalence and temporal trends of prostate diseases among inpatients with cardiovascular disease: a nationwide real-world database survey in Japan

Introduction

Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) are major prostate diseases that potentially share cardiometabolic risk factors and an elevated risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the prevalence of prostate diseases among patients with established CVD remains unclear.

Materials and methods

This nationwide retrospective study assessed the prevalence and temporal trend of prostate diseases (i.e., BPH or PCa) among patients hospitalized for CVDs in Japan. We used a claims database (the Japanese Registry of All Cardiac and Vascular Diseases-Diagnosis Procedure Combination), which included data on 6,078,487 male patients recorded from 1,058 hospitals between April 2012 and March 2020. We conducted the Cochran-Armitage trend test and calculated the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

The prevalence of prostate diseases over the entire study period was 5.7% (BPH, 4.4%; PCa, 1.6%). When dividing the overall cohort into age categories (<65, 65-74, and ≥75 years old), the prevalence was 1.1%, 4.7%, and 9.9%, respectively (P for trend <0.05). In addition, the annual prevalence showed a modest increasing trend over time. Patients admitted for heart failure (HF) were significantly associated with a higher incidence of coexisting prostate diseases than those admitted for non-HF causes [aOR 1.02 (95% CI, 1.01-1.03)] or acute coronary syndrome [aOR 1.19 (95% CI, 1.17-1.22)].

Conclusions

The nationwide real-world database revealed that the prevalence of prostate diseases is increasing among patients hospitalized for CVD, particularly HF. Attention to detailed causality and continued surveillance are needed to further clarify the clinical characteristics of prostate diseases among patients with CVD.

Cardiometabolic side effects of androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) is widely employed for treatment of advanced prostate cancer and it is considered the frontline therapy. However, the numerous adverse reactions associated with this treatment option are concerning and its potential association with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) should not be overlooked. In this review, we examine the literature on the cardiovascular side effects of ADT and the physiologic mechanisms underpinning the association with CVD. We will also specifically discuss the different findings regarding the interesting potential disparity in major cardiovascular events among GnRH agonist-treated patients compared with patients undergoing GnRH antagonist treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

Androgen-deprivation therapy increases the risk of developing CVD by altering the body composition, metabolism, vascular system, and cardiac physiology. GnRH agonists may pose a higher risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity than GnRH antagonists; however, this link remains to be determined. Furthermore, screening for cardiovascular risk factors before and during ADT treatment is a crucial step in preventing major adverse cardiac events in prostate cancer patients. Notably, preexisting CVD and comorbidities have been identified as major key elements predicting cardiovascular events. Early implementation of pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment strategies is strongly suggested, and regular follow-up visits should be scheduled to continuously assess patients' cardiovascular risk under ADT.

SUMMARY

ADT is a very powerful treatment option for advanced prostate cancer that improves survival outcomes but has the potential of considerably impacting patients' cardiovascular health. Medical optimization and close monitoring are crucial during treatment with ADT.