Effects of Body Mass Index and Age on Prostate Specific Antigen: A Study on Men Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana

Abstract

Background: Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is useful in the diagnosis of prostate adenocarcinoma. Aims: Our study sought to establish possible effect of age and BMI on serum PSA levels in Ghanaian men with genitourinary complaints. Methods: In this non-randomized, cross-sectional study, we recruited 202 men from the Genitourology and pathology departments of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) and MDS-Lancet Laboratories Ghana, between July 2011 and February 2012. Height and weight were measured and body mass index (BMI) calculated for each participant. Serum PSA levels were measured and prostate biopsies from each of the participants were examined histologically for diagnosis. Results: The mean PSA level was 200 ng/ml, mean age of 66.33±8.90 years, and a BMI of 23 kg/m2. The mean Gleason score of all participants was 3.38±3.58 years. There was a positive correlation between age and PSA levels (r=0.020; P=.78). A negative correlation was established between BMI and PSA (r=-0.068; P=.33). There was however a significant positive correlation (r=0.237; P=.001) between PSA levels and Gleason score. Linear regression analysis revealed no relationship between PSA and age (r=0.002; P=.98) and, PSA and BMI (r=-0.068, P=.36). Conclusion: Serum PSA levels correlate with age and BMI, however these factors do not have an effect on the levels of serum PSA at measurement. We suggest that PSA values be used in the context of the clinical scenario and other PSA altering factors.