ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Finasteride, a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, has recently been used as a treatment for men with benign prostate hyperplasia(BPH). This study was undertaken to determine whether free-to-total(f/t) PSA ratio changed during the finasteride therapy in patient with BPH and whether it is possible to use this new discriminant ratio after prolonged treatment with finasteride. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 31 men (mean age 66 years) with finasteride therapy for BPH. Blood samples were taken before and after 3-13months of therapy with finasteride and f/t PSA ratio is determined using radioimmunometric assay. RESULTS: Although the mean t-PSA, f-PSA are significantly decreased after the treatment with finasteride, f/t PSA ratio remained unchanged. The duration of treatment and the level of initial t-PSA did not affect the f/t PSA ratio. CONCLUSIONS: The f/t PSA ratio is unchanged among the patients with finasteride therapy for BPH.