The Value of Serum Prostate-specific Antigen in the Diagnosis and Follow-up of Acute Prostatitis

Abstract

Purpose: We would like to know whether the serum PSA could be used as a biochemical marker in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with acute prostatitis.Materials and Methods: The records of 23 patients with acute prostatitis whose serum PSA levels were checked, from February 1995 to February 2001, were reviewed retrospectively. Mean patient age was 54.2 years (range 27-80). We followed serum PSA of the patients regularly with 1-2 weeks interval for one month and after then with 2-4 weeks interval.Results: The elevation of serum PSA level above 4ng/ml was found in 22/23 (95.6%) patients with acute prostatitis. Mean initial PSA level was 26.6ng/ml (range 1.5-100). Out of the 15 patients whose serum PSA levels were followed after treatment, 10 (66.7%) patients showed normalization of PSA level within 6 weeks. In 3 of 15 (20%) patients, PSA level was normalized after 6 weeks. Two patients whose PSA levels were elevated after resolution of prostatitis underwent transrectal ultrasonography of the prostate with biopsies. None was found to have adenocarcinoma of prostate.Conclusions: In the majority of patients with acute prostatitis, serum PSA levels were elevated initially and declined after appropriate treatments. Therefore, serum PSA level could be used as a biochemical marker in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with acute prostatitis as an adjunct to the clinical findings.