Bone health management in endocrine-treated patients with prostate cancer: a summary of evidence

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to gather and assess the most reliable evidence on bone health management in patients undergoing endocrine therapy for prostate cancer, with the goal of informing clinical practice. Design and methods: Utilizing the '6S' evidence model, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across various sources such as computerized decision support systems, national and international guideline networks, society websites, and databases encompassing clinical decision-making, guidelines, systematic reviews, evidence summaries, and expert consensus. The search spanned from April 2014 to April 2024, with two researchers independently evaluating the quality of the identified literature. Results: A total of 12 articles were included, comprising 6 clinical guidelines, 5 expert consensus papers, and 1 systematic evaluation. The findings were categorized into risk assessment, prevention, and interventions for osteoporosis and fractures, yielding 26 pieces of best evidence. Conclusion: This study synthesized key evidence on bone health management for prostate cancer patients undergoing endocrine therapy, emphasizing the importance of healthcare professionals utilizing this evidence to develop and implement effective bone health management strategies to mitigate the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.