Significance of Identification of Asymptomatic Prostatitis in Men with Elevated Serum PSA

Objective To investigate the changes of serum prostate specific antigen(PSA) in asymptomatic prostatitis. Methods One hundred and two asymptomatic patients with serum PSA 4~10 ng/mL were screened for asymptomaticprostatitis. These patients diagnosed with asymptomatic prostatitis were given a 6-week course of treatment. After treatment, the serum PSA levels were measured again. Results The prevalence of asymptomatic prostatitis was 27.5% in our series. Thirteen patients (46.4%) were with serum PSA 4 ng/mL. After a mean of 6 monthsfollow up, mean PSA increased only 3.8%( P0.05). The remaining 15 patients with elevated serum PSA underwent transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy. Pathologic study showed prostate cancer, chronic inflammation,benign prostatic hypertrophy and normal prostate tissue in 6 (40.0%), 3(20.0%),3(20.0%), 3(20.0%) patients, respectively. Conclusion Asymptomatic prostatitis is fairly prevalent in the patients with serum PSA 4~10 ng/mL. About half of the patients with serum PSA normalized after treatment no longer need prostate biopsy.