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 tissue.
Patients and methods: Serum PSA values, age and weight of specimens of 4,846 men who underwent prostatectomy in the Ankara region between January 1, 1991, and December 24, 1995, were reviewed retrospectively.
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. However, the correlation between the weight of the prostatectomy specimen and age or PSA did not reach statistical significance.
Conclusion: The effect of age on PSA is evident in men with symptoms of BPH. The existence of symptomatic BPH should also be considered together with age when interpreting PSA levels.