Association between PSA Levels and Biomarkers of Subclinical Systemic Inflammation in Middle-Aged Healthy Men from the General Population.

INTRODUCTION: This study was aimed to determine the association between PSA levels and biomarkers of subclinical systemic inflammation based on data from 119 middle-aged healthy men from the general population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum levels of PSA and biomarkers of systemic inflammation (CRP and fibrinogen) were measured. Demographic data were also collected. Subjects were divided into two groups according to PSA levels; < 2 ng/ml and ≥ 2 ng/ml.

RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of men was 55 ± 4.0 years. We found a positive significant correlation between PSA and fibrinogen levels (r = 0.20, p = 0.04), and between CRP and fibrinogen levels (r = 0.60, p = 0.01). On the other hand, no significant correlation between PSA and CRP levels was found. Men with PSA values ≥ 2 ng/ml had significantly higher levels of fibrinogen as compared to those with PSA < 2 ng/ml (2.9 ng/ml vs. 2.4 ng/ml, p = 0.01). In a multivariate regression analysis model adjusted for the age of subjects, BMI, marital status, smoking, snuff, and alcohol intake with serum levels of PSA as a dependent variable, serum level of fibrinogen predicted higher PSA-values (odds ratio = 3.30, 95% CI = 1.05-10.20, p = 0.042).

CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate that serum fibrinogen is a biomarker of subclinical systemic inflammation associated with PSA elevation among middle-aged healthy men from the general population.