The effect of urethral catheterization on the level of prostate-specific antigen

The normal prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level in patients with urethral catheterization is a controversy. We designed this study to investigate the effect of nontraumatic urethral catheterization without urinary retention on serum PSA.

Seventy patients scheduled for urethral catheterization before elective surgeries were randomly selected and included in the study. They were categorized into two age groups: 40-60 years (Group A) and over 60 years (Group B). Total PSA, PSA density, and free/total PSA were assessed before and after catheterization.

The PSA levels showed no statistically significant rise after urethral catheterization. The average of PSA level was 1.01 and 1.6 in A and B Groups, respectively, and changed to 1.38 and 1.80 in A and B Groups 1 day after catheterization (P > 0.05). Free/total PSA was 28.75 and 26 in A and B Groups before catheterization and changed to 28.35 and 27.5 in A and B Groups after catheterization (P > 0.05).

Nontraumatic urethral catheterization has very little effect on PSA level and in patients with urethral catheter routine evaluation of PSA rising should be considered.