[Impact of the weather on the serum levels of prostatic specific antigen (PSA)].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the impact of season and weather parameters on serum PSA values in men without prostate cancer.


METHODS
Retrospective study including medical records from the Spanish arm of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC).


METHODS
prostate cancer diagnosis, PSA > = 10 ng/ml, or PSA > = 3 ng/ml and/or digital rectal examination abnormalities unless a negative prostate biopsy was provided. Univariate relationships between PSA value, season and several weather parameters were assessed. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify independent predictors of a PSA value > = 3 ng/ml.


RESULTS
A total of 2,147 men entered into the study. Median age and PSA level were 57 years and 0.9 ng/ml respectively. A non-significant trend to higher PSA levels was observed during autumn and winter. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified only maximum temperature (p < 0.001), minimum temperature (p = 0.001) and age (p < 0.001) as independent predictors of a PSA value > = 3 ng/ml. Mean age-adjusted PSA levels at maximum temperatures of < = 15 degrees C, 16-20 degrees C, 21-25 degrees C and > =26 degrees C were 1.25, 1.20, 1.17 and 1.09 ng/ml respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
PSA levels are slightly higher during cold weather conditions. Because of the small magnitude of this PSA increment we do not recommend to change biopsy indication based solely on climatic parameters.
Luján Galán
Marcos
M
Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Getafe, Madrid, España. marcoslujan@terra.es
Pascual Mateo
Carlos
C
Rodríguez García
Nuria
N
García Mediero
José María
JM
Pascual Durán
Tomás
T
Paez Borda
Alvaro
A
Berenguer Sánchez
Antonio
A
D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D014887:Weather
D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen