How should this patient be evaluated?
Because of this patient's age and potential for GnRH agonist-induced hypogonadism,
his BMD should be measured.
In a small, case-controlled, prospective study
of GnRH therapy in older men with prostate cancer,
the total hip and distal radius demonstrated the
most bone loss during 12 months of therapy,12 suggesting
that in this case, DXA of the total hip or radius
would be most informative. In contrast, studies
in younger men with hypogonadism show significant
losses at the spine 24 and,
thus, younger patients with hypogonadism may benefit
from DXA of the spine. |
