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Prostate-specific antigen and age. Is there a correlation? And why does it seem to vary?
1Urology Department, South Devon Health Care Trust, Torquay, UK.
European Urology
|January 1, 1996
Summary
The correlation between prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and age is significant up to 60 years, after which it becomes less predictable. This finding helps explain variations in PSA levels reported in medical literature.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Andrology
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels can vary significantly among individuals.
- Understanding the relationship between PSA and age is crucial for accurate interpretation of test results.
- Existing literature shows inconsistencies in the correlation between age and PSA levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the statistical correlation between age and PSA levels.
- To elucidate the reasons behind the wide variations in PSA values reported in previous studies.
Main Methods:
- A study involving two groups: 403 patients undergoing prostatectomy for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and 192 patients with no prostate cancer.
- Statistical analysis to determine the correlation coefficient between age and PSA in both groups.
Main Results:
- A low, statistically insignificant correlation (0.09) was observed in the surgical group.
- A higher, statistically significant correlation (0.36, p < 0.001) was found in the non-surgical group.
- The correlation weakened and became insignificant in individuals over 60 years old, suggesting age is a key factor up to this point.
Conclusions:
- The correlation between age and PSA is not constant, decreasing with advancing age.
- PSA levels show a relatively orderly increase with age up to approximately 60 years.
- Beyond 60 years, the age-PSA relationship becomes less predictable, potentially due to factors like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) growth rates, explaining literature variations.