Constipation has been identified as a factor that affects PSA levels in men. Bayraktar et al. showed that serum total PSA levels were significantly higher in constipated patients (n = 136) compared to control patients (n = 45) (2.29 ± 1.29 ng/ml versus 1.28 ± 0.86 ng/ml, P <0.0001). After treating constipation, this difference was no longer significant. Constipation should be treated before a PSA measurement is obtained, and should be considered in patients with borderline high serum PSA.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER
Bayraktar, Z. et al. Effect of constipation on serum total prostate-specific antigen levels in men. Int. J. Urol. doi:10.1111/j.1442-2042.2011.02882.x
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Treat constipation before measuring PSA levels. Nat Rev Urol 9, 5 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrurol.2011.217
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrurol.2011.217