Introduction: An association between inflammatory foci in prostatic tissues and elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels has been a controversial issue. We studied the effects of antibiotics on elevated PSA levels to improve the diagnostic value of prostate cancer findings. Patients and Methods: Of 65 asymptomatic men with inconstant PSA elevation, 51 with laboratory signs of prostatitis received antibiotics instead of undergoing a prompt prostate biopsy. Asymptomatic prostatic inflammation was defined as the presence of >10 white blood cells/high-power field in the post-prostate massage urine. Follow-up measurements of PSA and percent free PSA values were obtained. Results: Approximately 30% of the patients had a treatment response, defined as PSA decrease >20% from baseline. The range of the variations of PSA and percent free PSA values, expressed as coefficient of variation, also decreased significantly. Moreover, antibiotic treatment lowered the extent of histological prostatic inflammation in some patients. Conclusions: Subclinical prostatic inflammation potentially contributes to an elevated PSA level and its variation among prostate cancer suspects. Watchful observation may be an optional tool for patients showing a significant PSA decrease following antibiotic treatment.

Keywords:
Prostate-specific antigen, Percent free prostate-specific antigen, Prostate cancer, Subclinical prostatitis, Antibiotics, prostate-specific antigen
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© 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel
2008
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