THE CORRELATION BETWEEN PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN AND AGE - ANALYSIS OF PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN VALUES FROM 4,846 TURKISH MEN WITH SYMPTOMATIC BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA

Objective: To analyze serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels of men proven to have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and to document any correlation between PSA, age and resected or enucleated prostate t issue. Patients and Methods: Serum PSA values, age and weight of speci mens of 4,846 men who underwent prostatectomy in the Ankara region bet ween January 1, 1991, and December 24, 1995, were reviewed retrospecti vely. Results: Serum PSA values correlated directly with age (Pearson' s r = 0.45, p < 0.00001). The mean PSA values of men in each decade of age differed significantly (p < 0.0001) from all other decades. Howev er, the correlation between the weight of the prostatectomy specimen a nd age or PSA did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: The effect of age on PSA is evident in men with symptoms of BPH. The exist ence of symptomatic BPH should also be considered together with age wh en interpreting PSA levels.