when to repeat a PSA after prostatitis

Last edited 09/2022 and last reviewed 03/2023

Prostatitis and PSA

• Pansadoro et al. found that PSA elevated in 71% of patients with acute prostatitis, 15% of patients with chronic prostatitis, and 6% of patients with nonbacterial prostatitis
  
  
• elevation of PSA levels has been proven in acute prostatitis, subclinical or chronic prostatitis and urinary retention (2)
  
  
• in a prospective study by Ulleryd et al.. of 70 men who had a raised PSA during a UTI, the PSA level returned to normal in 57%, 58%, 68% and 76% at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively
  
  
• there is no definitive guidance as to when to repeat a PSA after an episode of prostatitis (with a normal DRE) - so consult local advice/guidance
  • has been suggested that if evidence of a UTI and normal DRE then repeat PSA in 6 weeks (3)

Reference:

• (1)Pansadoro V et al. Prostate-specific antigen and prostatitis in men under fifty. Eur Urol. 1996; 30(1):24-7
• (2) Prcic A, Begic E, Hiros M. Usefulness of Total PSA Value in Prostate Diseases Diagnosis. Acta Informatica Medica : AIM : Journal of the Society for Medical Informatics of Bosnia & Herzegovina : Casopis Drustva za Medicinsku Informatiku BiH. 2016 Jun;24(3):156-161.
• (3)Ulleryd P et al. Prostatic involvement in men with febrile urinary tract infection as measured by serum prostate-specific antigen and transrectal ultrasound. BJU Int 1999;84:470-4.
• (4) NHS East of England Cancer Alliance. Notification to all GP’s in the East of England - Elevated PSA Referral Guidelines (Accessed 7/9/2022).