Relationship between insulin resistance, obesity and serum prostate-specific antigen levels in healthy men

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between insulin resistance, obesity and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in healthy men with serum PSA level below 4 ng mL(-1). The men included in the study cohort were 11 827 healthy male employees of the Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co., LTD who had undergone medical checkups including fasting glucose, fasting insulin and serum PSA between January 2003 and December 2008. Insulin resistance was calculated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA [fasting glucose x fasting insulin]/22.5) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI; 1/[log (fasting insulin) + log (fasting glucose)]). Age-adjusted body mass index (BMI) was significantly increased according to increasing quartile of insulin resistance as determined by HOMA and QUICKI, respectively, in analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and Duncan's multiple comparison test (P < 0.001), but age-adjusted serum PSA concentration was significantly decreased according to increasing quartile of insulin resistance as determined by HOMA and QUICKI (P < 0.001). Age, BMI, insulin resistance by HOMA or QUICKI were significantly independent variables to serum PSA level in a multivariate linear regression analysis (P < 0.001). Insulin resistance was a significant independent variable to serum PSA level along with BMI. Insulin resistance and BMI were negatively correlated with serum PSA level in healthy men. Insulin resistance was positively correlated with BMI.