title: Prevalence of prostate cancer in northeastern Thailand.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prostate cancer is a major problem and the prostatic specific antigen (PSA) blood test is the most effective test for early detection. There is, however, a paucity of confirmatory prevalence data for the Thai population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of prostate cancer in the northeastern region of Thailand.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study at the Health Check-up Clinic of Srinagarind Hospital between July 2008-2009. Recruits included 129 patients > 45 years of age. Prostatic specific antigen (PSA) was measured and patients with a high PSA level were counseled to undergo a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy. The cancer detection rate was calculated and the specificity of the diagnostic test determined using the ROC curve. The Spearman correlation between the PSA level and the Gleason score was established.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The respective mean age and PSA level was 61 and 2.3 ng/ml. Thirteen patients had a PSA level > 4 ng/ml; all of whom underwent TRUS-guided biopsy; eight were positive for prostate adenocarcinoma. The prevalence of prostate cancer was thus 6.2% (8/129 patients). The specificity of the cut-off PSA level at 4 ng/ml as per the ROC curve was 40%. There was no correlation between the PSA level and the Gleason score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of prostate cancer was 6.2%. According to the ROC curve, a cut-off PSA level of 4 ng/ml would be an appropriate for prostate cancer screening among Thai males.
authors: Department of Surgery, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors: Egapong
authors: E
authors: Sathitkarnmanee
authors: Wichien
authors: W
authors: Sirithanaphol
authors: Ekkarin
authors: E
authors: Chotikawanich
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology