[Analysis of the use of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in a health area of the Community of Madrid].
OBJECTIVE
To approach the local extent of PSA-use, and to check its yield in terms of prostate cancer (PC) detection.


METHODS
All PSA-test records (1997-1999) were reviewed and testing rates calculated per 1000 person-years. Detection rate (PC) was also estimated and referred to our PC prevalence study using the odds ratio as instrument for comparison.


RESULTS
Testing rate in the general population was 21.6/1000 person-years. PC detection rate was 1.76% (1.28 inside the prevalence study). For every CP detected in the general population with a PSA ranging 4-10 ng/ml, 2.39 (OR = 2.39) were detected in the prevalence study (OR = 4.48 for the PSA range > 10 ng/ml).


CONCLUSIONS
PSA-testing in our setting is high. PC detection rates were lower than expected.
Páez Borda
A
A
Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Madrid.
Luján Galán
M
M
Llanes González
L
L
Romero Cagigal
I
I
de la Cal López
M A
MA
Miravalles González
E
E
Berenguer Sánchez
A
A
D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D013030:Spain; D014504:Urban Health
D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen