Abstract

LUJAN GALAN, Marcos et al. Impact of the weather on the serum levels of prostatic specific antigen (SPA). Arch. Esp. Urol. [online]. 2006, vol.59, n.3, pp.247-252. ISSN 0004-0614.

Objetives: To analyze the impact of season and weather parameters on serum PSA values in men without prostate cancer. Methods: Retrospective study including medical records from the Spanish arm of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC). Exclusion criteria: prostate cancer diagnosis, PSA = 10 ng/ml, or PSA = 3 ng/ml and/or digital rectal examination abnormalities unless a negative prostate biopsy was provided. Univariate relationships between PSA value, season and several weather parameters were assessed. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify independent predictors of a PSA value =3 ng/ml. Results: A total of 2,147 men entered into the study. Median age and PSA level were 57 years and 0.9 ng/ml respectively. A non-significant trend to higher PSA levels was observed during autumn and winter. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified only maximum temperature (p<0.001), minimum temperature (p=0.001) and age (p<0.001) as independent predictors of a PSA value = 3 ng/ml. Mean age-adjusted PSA levels at maximum temperatures of <=15ºC, 16-20ºC, 21-25ºC and =26ºC were 1.25, 1.20, 1.17 and 1.09 ng/ml respectively. Conclusions: PSA levels are slightly higher during cold weather conditions. Because of the small magnitude of this PSA increment we do not recommend to change biopsy indication based solely on climatic parameters.

Keywords : Prostate-specific antigen; Prostate cancer; Weather climate.

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