The Effect of Dialysis on Serum Prostate Specific Antigen Levels in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure

Park, Jin Su; Hwa, Jung Seog; Chung, Ky Hyun

Abstract

PURPOSE: Serum levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) have assumed a prominent clinical role in the management of prostate cancer. The aim of this study was first to determine the serum levels of total PSA, free PSA and free-to-total PSA ratio in patients with chronic renal failure, and second to investigate whether a significant difference between serum PSA levels before and after hemodialysis exists.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Serum concentrations of total PSA and free PSA were measured in 37 men with renal failure before and after hemodialysis and in 17 men with renal failure on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). A Immuno radiometric assay was used to determine the PSA levels.
RESULTS
The concentrations of total PSA were 0.83 +/- 0.54ng/ml on predialysis, 0.86 +/- 0.60ng/ml on postdialysis in hemodialysis patients and 0.71 +/- 0.29ng/ml in CAPD patients. The concentrations of free PSA were 0.35 +/- 0.21ng/ml on predialysis, 0.34 +/- 0.22ng/ml on postdialysis in hemodialysis patients and 0.37 +/- 0.11ng/ml in CAPD patients. There was no statistical differences in serum PSA between before and after hemodialysis. Free-to-total PSA ratio also showed no statistical difference.
CONCLUSIONS
The limited kidney reserve in patients with chronic renal failure is sufficient to maintain the levels of total and free PSA within normal range and hemodialysis does not alter the serum level of different PSA forms. PSA measurements in patients with chronic renal failure treated by dialysis remain a useful marker of prostatic disease.