Abstract:
Background: Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is useful in the diagnosis of prostate
adenocarcinoma.
Aims: Our study sought to establish possible effect of age and BMI on serum PSA levels
in Ghanaian men with genitourinary complaints.
Methods: In this non-randomized, cross-sectional study, we recruited 202 men from the
Genitourology and pathology departments of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) and
MDS-Lancet Laboratories Ghana, between July 2011 and February 2012. Height and
weight were measured and body mass index (BMI) calculated for each participant. Serum
PSA levels were measured and prostate biopsies from each of the participants were
examined histologically for diagnosis.
Results: The mean PSA level was 200 ng/ml, mean age of 66.33±8.90 years, and a BMI
2
of 23 kg/m . The mean Gleason score of all participants was 3.38±3.58 years. There was
a positive correlation between age and PSA levels (r=0.020; P=.78). A negative
correlation was established between BMI and PSA (r=-0.068; P=.33). There was however
a significant positive correlation (r=0.237; P=.001) between PSA levels and Gleason
score. Linear regression analysis revealed no relationship between PSA and age
(r=0.002; P=.98) and, PSA and BMI (r=-0.068, P=.36).
Conclusion: Serum PSA levels correlate with age and BMI, however these factors do not
have an effect on the levels of serum PSA at measurement. We suggest that PSA values
be used in the context of the clinical scenario and other PSA altering factors.
