Serum levels of prostate specific antigen in men on hemodialysis.

UNLABELLED

The measurement of prostate specific antigen (PSA) is widely used for the early detection of prostate cancer. However the influence of renal failure on the serum levels of the PSA molecular forms is still a matter of investigation. We therefore examined the serum concentration of total and free PSA in patients undergoing hemodialysis and discuss the influence of renal failure on both types.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Serum concentrations of total PSA, free PSA and the free-to-total PSA ratio were measured in 48 men undergoing hemodialysis. Total and free PSA levels were measured employing a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay.

RESULTS

Serum levels of total PSA, free PSA as well as the free-to-total PSA ratio did not change significantly in uremic patients after hemodialysis. Median total PSA concentration was 1.1 ng/mL before and 1.15 ng/mL after hemodialysis (p = 0.24); median free PSA concentration was 0.29 ng/mL before and 0.32 ng/mL after hemodialysis (p = 0.14). Median free-to-total PSA ratio was 0.29 ng/mL before and 0.31 ng/mL after hemodialysis (p = 0.66).

CONCLUSION

Serum free PSA as well as total PSA is not eliminated by hemodialysis and the slightly elevated levels of free PSA and the free-to-total PSA ratio in uremic patients after hemodialysis may be caused by the concomitant decrease in binding proteins. We therefore conclude that the reference ranges for total PSA, free PSA and the f-/t-PSA ratio are applicable undergoing chronic hemodialysis.