Relationship between prostate-specific antigen levels and ambient temperature.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Biochemistry
• Urology

Background:

• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a key biomarker for prostate health.
• Ambient temperature is a potential environmental factor influencing physiological markers.
• Understanding factors affecting PSA levels is crucial for accurate health assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between daily mean ambient temperature and PSA levels in healthy men.
• To determine if ambient temperature influences PSA test results.
• To identify the optimal temperature range for PSA testing.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of PSA levels and daily mean ambient temperature from 9,694 healthy men over three annual checkups (2007-2009).
• Statistical analysis including multiple regression and logistic regression, controlling for age, BMI, and hematocrit.
• Examination of the relationship between temperature and PSA, including prevalence of elevated PSA (>2.5 ng/mL).

Main Results:

• A significant U-shaped relationship was found between ambient temperature and PSA in 2007 and 2009, but not in 2008.
• PSA levels were higher at temperatures of 5°C and 30°C compared to the nadir temperatures (18.4°C in 2007, 17.7°C in 2009).
• Elevated PSA risk increased significantly at 30°C (57-61% excess risk).

Conclusions:

• Ambient temperature exhibits a U-shaped association with PSA levels in men.
• The lowest PSA levels were observed at ambient temperatures between 15°C and 20°C.
• Temperature variations, particularly extremes, may affect PSA test accuracy and should be considered.