F J Drummond1, L Sharp, H Comber. 1. National Cancer Registry Ireland, Building 6800, Airport Business Park, Kinsale Rd., Cork, Ireland. f.drummond@ncri.ie
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ireland had the highest prostate cancer incidence in Europe in 2006. In that year, the National Cancer Forum (NCF) recommended against prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing for population-based screening. AIMS: To investigate (1) PSA services and (2) impact of the NCF recommendation. METHODS: Questionnaires were dispatched to biochemistry laboratories nationwide in 2006 and 2007. RESULTS: All 55 laboratories responded in 2006; 33/36 (89%) responded in 2007. 36 laboratories measured total PSA (tPSA); 14 measured free PSA (fPSA). Laboratories with higher tPSA workload were more likely to measure fPSA (P = 0.024). A total of 15 laboratories used age-specific PSA ranges. In 2006, there were [382,000 tPSA and [48,000 fPSA tests costing an estimated euro 4,900,000. During 2006-2007 tPSA tests increased by 11%; fPSA tests decreased by 36%. CONCLUSIONS: There is considerable inter-laboratory variation in PSA testing practices. Because of the potential clinical consequences, standardisation should be considered. Testing practice was unaffected by the NCF recommendation.
BACKGROUND: Ireland had the highest prostate cancer incidence in Europe in 2006. In that year, the National Cancer Forum (NCF) recommended against prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing for population-based screening. AIMS: To investigate (1) PSA services and (2) impact of the NCF recommendation. METHODS: Questionnaires were dispatched to biochemistry laboratories nationwide in 2006 and 2007. RESULTS: All 55 laboratories responded in 2006; 33/36 (89%) responded in 2007. 36 laboratories measured total PSA (tPSA); 14 measured free PSA (fPSA). Laboratories with higher tPSA workload were more likely to measure fPSA (P = 0.024). A total of 15 laboratories used age-specific PSA ranges. In 2006, there were [382,000 tPSA and [48,000 fPSA tests costing an estimated euro 4,900,000. During 2006-2007 tPSA tests increased by 11%; fPSA tests decreased by 36%. CONCLUSIONS: There is considerable inter-laboratory variation in PSA testing practices. Because of the potential clinical consequences, standardisation should be considered. Testing practice was unaffected by the NCF recommendation.
Authors: W J Catalona; A W Partin; K M Slawin; M K Brawer; R C Flanigan; A Patel; J P Richie; J B deKernion; P C Walsh; P T Scardino; P H Lange; E N Subong; R E Parson; G H Gasior; K G Loveland; P C Southwick Journal: JAMA Date: 1998-05-20 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Ingrid J Hall; Yhenneko J Taylor; Louie E Ross; Lisa C Richardson; Thomas B Richards; Sun Hee Rim Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2011-03-18 Impact factor: 5.128
Authors: Maria Kelly; Linda Sharp; Fiona Dwane; Tracy Kelleher; Frances J Drummond; Harry Comber Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2013-07-02 Impact factor: 2.655