Evaluation of some factors affecting serum Prostatic Specific Antigen (PSA) concentration in patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

ABSTRACT

Background: Prostatic Specific Antigen (PSA), a helpful tumor maker in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, may rise due to many causes such as Digital Rectal Examination (DRE), Acute Urinary Retention (AUR), ect. Objective: To evaluate on the influences of some factors on the serum PSA level in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Subjects and method: This study included 122 men who were diagnosed BPH with a mean age of 71.18 +/- 7.19 years (ranged 54-92). The patients were divided into 3 groups DRE group included 60 patients, their blood samples were obtained before and after 24 hours; catheterization group included 35 patients who presented with AUR, their PSA values were determined before 48 hours and 2 weeks after elevation; the inflammation group consisted of 27 patients with symptoms of acute urinary tract infections, the PSA levels were evaluated before 48 hours and 4 weeks after anti-inflammatory therapy. Results: The PSA levels increased significantly in patients with larger prostate sizes (p<0.01, r = 0.492). PSA level tended to increase with age (p<0.05, r = 0.29). The PSA values changed 14.72 +/- 10.85% after DRE (p<0.05). After relief of urethral catheterization, PSA levels decreased 50.77 +/- 20.42% (p<0.05). After anti-inflammatory therapy, 51.59 +/- 21.87% (p<0.05). Conclusions: These results suggested that it may be the best way to perform DRE after obtaining serum PSA for analysis. Serum PSA concentration should not be determined when AUR and acute urinary tract infection.