[Influence of renal and hepatic function in the serum concentration of prostate specific antigen]

The influence of renal and hepatic functioning on serum levels of prostate specific antigen has been studied by examining its behaviour in a control group (CG) of 178 healthy male, a group of 48 patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) 22 of which had pre- and post-dialysis PSA measurements and a group of 48 patients with chronic liver failure (CLF). Mean PSA level in CHF, 0.64 ng/ml, was lower (p < 0.001) than the level seen either in CG, 1.37 ng/ml, and ESRF, 1.33 ng/ml, the last two exhibiting no statistical difference. Also, no significant differences were seen between pre- and post-dialysis PSA levels, 1.52 and 1.33 ng/ml respectively. The authors conclude that renal functioning has little relevance in the regulation of PSA serum levels and that, in spite of levels being lower in liver failure, this does not seem to be meaningful in the clinical practice.