BMC Urology (Jan 2025)

Monitoring of prostate-specific antigen in men with benign prostate enlargement receiving 5-alpha reductase inhibitors: a non-interventional, cross-sectional study of real-world practice of urologists in Spain and Brazil

  • Juan Manuel Palacios,
  • Pratiksha Kapse,
  • Vanessa Cortes,
  • Marcio Augusto Averbeck,
  • Alberto Budia Alba,
  • Suryakant Somvanshi,
  • Danilo Souza Lima da Costa Cruz,
  • Fiona Pereira

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12894-025-01701-1
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 25, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

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Abstract Background Inconsistent monitoring of prostate-specific antigen in patients receiving 5-alpha reductase inhibitors for lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostate enlargement may affect prostate cancer outcomes. This study evaluated real-world practice among urologists treating patients receiving 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Methods This non-interventional, cross-sectional study collected data from urologists in Spain (N = 100) and Brazil (N = 100) via a self-reporting questionnaire and patient record forms. Endpoints included: frequency/methodology of prostate-specific antigen monitoring, concerns about the effect of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors on prostate-specific antigen monitoring, triggers of prostate biopsy, and concerns when switching 5-alpha reductase inhibitor formulation. Results Over half of urologists monitored prostate-specific antigen every 6 months (Spain 59%, Brazil 58%). Preferred methods were the “doubling rule” (Spain 66%, Brazil 41%) and “increase from nadir” (Spain 28%, Brazil 43%). A minority of urologists monitored unadjusted values (Spain 3%, Brazil 11%) or did not monitor prostate-specific antigen (Spain 1%, Brazil 3%). Most urologists ranked the potential for 5-alpha reductase inhibitors to mask prostate cancer as their top concern (Spain 65%, Brazil 56%). The most selected trigger for prostate biopsy was “if doubled (adjusted) prostate-specific antigen level after 6 months of treatment is > 4 ng/mL” (Spain 39%, Brazil 37%). Many urologists were moderately/very concerned about the effect on prostate-specific antigen when switching 5-alpha reductase inhibitor formulation. Conclusions An unmet need exists for standard guidance and continuous education to support optimal monitoring and interpretation of prostate-specific antigen in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostate enlargement treated with 5-alpha reductase inhibitors.

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