Methods: This case control study examined periodontal disease in men with prostate cancer with and without androgen deprivation. Eighty-one (81) men (mean age 62.5) were selected. Forty-one (41) were receiving androgen deprivation therapy and 27 were evaluated as controls (men with prostate cancer not undergoing androgen deprivation). The men were recruited among 325 enrolled in an academic research investigation of osteoporosis and androgen deprivation therapy. A periodontist blinded to treatment groupings completed periodontal exams including periodontal probing depth; average loss of periodontal attachment; presence of bleeding upon probing; Plaque Index; gingival recession; missing teeth; and calculus. Generalized logistic models were used.
Results: Thirty-three (33) men undergoing androgen deprivation had periodontal disease (80.49 per cent) compared with eight (19.5 per cent) who did not [OR=3.33, 95% CI 1.073-10.352]. Subjects receiving androgen deprivation therapy had significantly greater probing depth than those subjects who were not (p<0.001). Plaque Index was not significant (p<0.09). The duration of androgen deprivation was not significant (p=.271).
Conclusion: Men with prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation had a greater likelihood of developing periodontal disease (p<0.001) than the men not undergoing androgen deprivation therapy. These data support our hypothesis that androgen deprivation therapy, a cause of severe bone loss in men, may also precipitate rapid oral bone loss and periodontal disease, despite good plaque control.