PSA TESTING: UTILIZATION, OUTCOMES AND VARIATIONS ACROSS AGE, GENDER AND GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the utilization and outcomes of PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) testing in the context of prostate cancer screening and diagnosis. The patterns of the PSA testing, the rates of exceeding the reference range, and its relationship with cancer diagnoses were examined in the study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data for a five-year period (2017 - 2021) were analyzed, including a total of 148,526,228 PSA tests requested from 27,146,267 individuals. The test counts, test rates per population, and rates of exceeding the reference range were assessed based on gender, age groups, geographic regions, and healthcare institution types. The rates of cancer diagnosis among individuals who underwent PSA testing were also examined. RESULTS: The study reveals that PSA testing was not only performed on men, but also on a significant number of women. The test counts and rates per population varied across different age groups, with higher rates observed in older individuals. The rates of exceeding the reference range were highest among older age groups. The cancer diagnosis rates among individuals who underwent PSA testing were found to be moderate but varied across different years. The study also highlights the differences in test utilization and outcomes based on geographic regions and healthcare institution types. CONCLUSIONS: PSA testing is widely utilized for prostate cancer screening and diagnosis. The findings of this study emphasize the need for a comprehensive evaluation of PSA testing patterns, outcomes, and limitations. The results contribute to a better understanding of the appropriateness and effectiveness of PSA testing in different populations. Further research is required to optimize the use of PSA testing and improve the accuracy of cancer diagnoses.