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Prostate-specific antigen levels in patients receiving long-term dialysis
L Harper1, C W McIntyre, I C MacDougall
1Department of Nephrology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK.
British Journal of Urology
|October 1, 1995
Summary
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in patients with renal failure undergoing dialysis are not artificially elevated. PSA remains a reliable indicator for detecting prostate disease in these individuals.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Urology
- Oncology
Background:
- Renal failure can impact various physiological markers.
- The reliability of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if renal failure affects prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.
- To assess the validity of PSA as a marker for prostatic disease in patients with renal failure.
Main Methods:
- PSA levels were measured in 102 patients with end-stage renal disease (65 on hemodialysis, 37 on CAPD).
- Prostatic biopsies were performed on patients with PSA levels exceeding 4 ng/mL, guided by transrectal ultrasonography.
Main Results:
- No evidence of PSA elevation solely due to renal failure was found.
- All eight patients with PSA levels > 4 ng/mL were diagnosed with prostatic disease.
Conclusions:
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) measurements are a useful marker for prostatic disease in patients with end-stage renal failure on dialysis.
- Renal failure does not appear to cause artefactual elevations in PSA levels.