Serum PSA levels in the Indian population: Is it different?

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Oncology
• Biomarker Research

Background:

• Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a key tumor marker for prostate biopsy guidance.
• PSA levels exhibit variations across different races and ethnicities.
• A specific Indian reference range for PSA is currently lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish an age-specific reference range for serum total PSA in the Indian male population.
• To compare Indian PSA values with those reported in Western populations.

Main Methods:

• Adult males underwent serum total PSA assessment, digital rectal examination, and trans-abdominal ultrasound.
• Trans-rectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy was performed if initial assessments were abnormal.
• Prostate cancer patients were excluded; data were analyzed across age groups (40-49, 50-59, 60-70 years).

Main Results:

• A total of 1772 patients were analyzed.
• The mean serum total PSA was 1.76 ng/ml (SD ±2.566 ng/ml).
• Mean PSA levels were 1.22 ng/ml (40-49 yrs), 1.97 ng/ml (50-59 yrs), and 2.08 ng/ml (60-70 yrs).

Conclusions:

• The mean total PSA and age-specific PSA ranges are lower in Indian men compared to Western populations.
• This study provides essential data for an Indian reference range of serum PSA.