Cardiovascular events associated with androgen deprivation therapy in patients with prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

40 Background: A recently published meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCT) showed that androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) did not significantly increase cardiovascular mortality in prostate cancer patients. However, cardiovascular morbidity, which can impact quality of life, was not evaluated. Objectives: To evaluate the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with long-term ADT in patients with prostate cancer. Methods: We conducted a literaturesearch from 1960 and June 2012. We selected RCT and large cohort studies that evaluated first-line endocrine therapy, ADT greater than 6 months, and follow up greater than 1 year. Results: Thirteen studies (137,658 patients) were included. Of four cohort studies, 126,898 patients were included and 10,760 patients were part of nine RCTs. Analysis of the RCTs showed no differences in development of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (OR 1.23; 95% CI: 0.92 – 1.64; I2: 0%) or stroke (OR 1.02; 95% CI: 0.71 – 1.46; I2: 0%) among patients receiving ADT or not. The analysis of three randomized studies that reported other nonfatal cardiovascular events demonstrated a significant increase in such events in the group receiving ADT (OR 1.55; 95% CI: 1.09 – 2.20; I2: 0%). When large cohort studies were included in the analysis, an increased risk of AMI among men who had ADT was found ( OR 2.01, 95% CI:1.90 – 2.13; I2: 91.3%). Conclusions: ADT in prostate cancer patients for at least 6 months is not associated with cardiovascular mortality, acute myocardial infarct and stroke. However, patients receiving ADT had a significant increase in nonfatal cardiovascular events.