Obesity-PSA relationship: a new formula

To clinically apply the inverse PSA-body mass index (BMI) correlation and enhance PSA sensitivity in obese cases, a new formula is warranted. An innovated BMI-PSA equation is designed. PSA-BMI adjusted formula (named Hekal's equation): measured total PSA (ng ml(-1)) multiplied by age (years) and divided by BMI of the patient. The formula is applied over a randomly chosen 1000 cases of different PSA, BMI, age and trans-rectal ultrasound biopsy results, the yield of new PSA is correlated with pathology and age-specific PSA adjustment values. Among the 988 cases with complete data, obesity (BMI: 30-35 kg m(-2)) in 236 cases (23.8%) and 79 cases (7.9%) have BMI>435 kg m(-2). Mean PSA was 5.8 ng ml(-1) (s.d. +/- 8.4 ng ml(-1)). Cases stratified based on their age (every 10 years). The new equation was applied. Obesity is detected in 33.5 and 43.6% of fifth and sixth decade of life respectively (P = 0.02), with low measured PSA values (2.1, 3.8 ng ml(-1), respectively). By such PSA measurement biopsy may be omitted, missing 53.3% of malignant cases. In contrast, PSA adjusted were 4 and 9.3 ng ml(-1) within the same group of patients. With such values, the decision of a biopsy could not be missed for the targeted groups. Specificity and sensitivity of adjusted PSA values at cutoff point 4 ng ml(-1) was 41.7 and 70%, respectively. Based on our results, the new PSA-BMI adjusted formula is reproducible, easy applied formula. With such a formula the higher sensitivity of PSA in obese patients could be achieved. The misleading low PSA in obese cases in the fifth and sixth decade will be corrected. Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases (2010) 13, 186-190; doi: 10.1038/pcan.2009.53; published online 22 December 2009