Seminal plasma prostate-specific antigen level in benign prostatic hyperplasia

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Biochemistry
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in aging men, often managed with alpha-blocker therapy.
• Predicting treatment response in BPH is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.
• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a known biomarker, but its role in predicting alpha-blocker response requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the predictive value of seminal plasma PSA levels for alpha-blocker treatment response in BPH patients.
• To compare the efficacy of seminal plasma PSA with serum PSA and PSA density in predicting treatment outcomes.

Main Methods:

• 18 male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH were enrolled.
• Serum and seminal plasma PSA levels were measured using an Active PSA IRMA kit.
• Patients received doxazosin (4 mg/day) for 6 weeks, and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) changes were assessed.

Main Results:

• Seminal plasma PSA levels showed a significant correlation with the percentage improvement in IPSS (p = 0.017).
• Serum PSA and PSA density did not demonstrate a significant predictive value for treatment response.
• The percentage improvement in IPSS ranged from 26.9% to 53.5%.

Conclusions:

• Seminal plasma PSA is a more effective predictor of alpha-blocker treatment response in BPH than serum PSA or PSA density.
• Seminal plasma PSA may serve as a valuable biomarker for personalizing BPH treatment strategies.